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This marks a interesting feature of the English team's autumn perfect record that no new players made their first cap throughout the recent campaign, a scenario not seen in 25 years. Yet, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against Argentina while securing his second cap seemed to be the breakthrough of a major talent.

Standout Display in Tight Win

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was England's least convincing outing of the autumn. He finished off the first try before setting up the other two. The setup for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the first half. Likewise, his quick offload to Henry Slade for the team's third try was equally eye-catching, concluding a fine first outing at Twickenham for the young player.

He has the sort of versatile skillset that every manager desire from their inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at number ten and at both centre positions for Bath this campaign.

Quick Rise and Upcoming Prospects

It is just a little over a week since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had finally unearthed his midfield duo for the long term. But, the highest praise that can be paid to Ojomoh is that Borthwick may have to think again. He was first called up to an England squad four years ago, but had to wait until the final match of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to teammates paved the way for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in consideration for a third cap when the squad reconvene to begin their championship quest in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Excels at fly-half and midfield.
• Key Contributions: Scored one try and assisted two.
• Important Performance: Delivered when others were injured.

Squad Context and Wider Implications

Where might England have fared against their opponents without Ojomoh? Certainly they rode their luck and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their standout performer. England showed an natural decline in intensity following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Maybe Borthwick should have made more changes.

Some perspective is needed, however. It is tempting to criticize the side for their inability to inject much urgency into this contest, or for almost throwing away a game they were controlling. But, this outcome marks a clean sweep of November matches for the initial occasion since 2016. 2025 concludes with 11 straight wins after beginning with a defeat. We are halfway through the four-year tournament plan and things look much more positive for the coach than they did previously.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

The manager appears that, with time remaining from the global tournament, he understands the core group of the team he will take to the host nation. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. But there are very few existing players of the squad who are not on track for the upcoming event.

That represents an advantage because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who struggled when it was clear that veterans were not going to feature in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, avoiding the torrid beginning that plagued the team in the previous cycle.

Player rankings sound like they belong to seafarers of the past, but coaches rely on them and the coach can be happy with his. Under different circumstances, England might be dealing with a loss after a gut-wrenching narrow loss. That they were not owes plenty to the young star, luck, and the strength of the bench. While Borthwick plots a course to the championship, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can forgive the lack of quality of this performance.