🔗 Share this article

This marks a curious aspect of England's autumn perfect record that there were no debutants earned their first cap throughout the series of matches, something not seen in 25 years. However, Max Ojomoh's showing against the Argentine side while securing his second appearance seemed to be the arrival of a major talent.

Star Display in Tight Win

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's most challenging performance of the November series. He finished off the first try before creating the remaining two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite long pass was the champagne moment of the first half. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for England's third try was just as impressive, concluding a excellent debut performance at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

He has the kind of versatile skillset that every manager would want from their midfield player. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has featured at number ten and at multiple midfield roles for Bath this season.

Rapid Rise and Future Opportunities

Only eight days since the head coach could have believed he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the future. But, the highest praise that can be paid to the young star is that Borthwick may have to reconsider. Ojomoh was first called up to an England squad previously, but had to bide his time until the final match of the overseas trip to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to other players created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a further appearance when the squad regroup to begin their Six Nations campaign in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Excels at number ten and centre.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when others were injured.

Squad Context and Wider Implications

How would England have been against Argentina without him? Certainly they rode their luck and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their standout performer. The team experienced an natural decline in intensity following a significant victory over New Zealand. Maybe the coach should have freshened things up.

A balanced view is needed, however. One might be inclined to criticize the side for their inability to bring much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a fixture they were dominating. But, this outcome marks a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since 2016. 2025 concludes with 11 straight wins after starting with a defeat. The team is midway in the four-year tournament plan and the situation look much more positive for Borthwick than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy

The manager appears that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the team he will bring to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. But there are not many current members of the roster who are not in contention for the 2027 tournament.

This is an advantage because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who found it difficult when it became apparent that certain players were not going to feature in his plans. He seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, avoiding the torrid start that plagued the team in the previous cycle.

Player rankings sound like they belong to seafarers of the past, but managers swear by them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, England might be dealing with a loss after a heartbreaking late defeat. That they were not is largely due to the young star, fortune, and the quality of England's substitutes. While the coach plots a course to the championship, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can overlook the paucity of the recent display.