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It is a interesting aspect of England's November clean sweep that no new players earned their international debut throughout the series of matches, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against Argentina while earning his second cap seemed to be the breakthrough of a major talent.

Star Display in Hard-Fought Win

He proved to be the star turn in what was England's most challenging performance of the autumn. He finished off the first try before creating the other two. The setup for his teammate via a exquisite long pass was the champagne moment of the opening period. Likewise, his popped pass to the center for the team's third try was equally eye-catching, capping off a fine first outing at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

Ojomoh possesses the sort of versatile skillset that every manager would want from their midfield player. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has featured at fly-half and at multiple midfield roles for Bath this season.

Rapid Ascent and Upcoming Prospects

It is just eight days since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the future. However, the highest praise that can be paid to the young star is that the coach may have to think again. Ojomoh was initially selected to an national team previously, but had to bide his time until the final match of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to other players paved the way for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in consideration for a third cap when the squad regroup to start their Six Nations quest in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Can play fly-half and centre.
• Key Contributions: Scored one try and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when others were unavailable.

Squad Context and Broader Implications

How would the team have been against their opponents without Ojomoh? Certainly they had some fortune and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their best player. The team showed an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a major win over the All Blacks. Perhaps the coach should have freshened things up.

A balanced view is needed, however. It is tempting to criticize the side for their failure to inject much urgency into this match, or for nearly losing a game they were controlling. But, this outcome completes a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the first time since 2016. 2025 ends with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a loss. We are halfway through the four-year tournament plan and the situation look much more positive for the coach than they did at this stage.

Player Pool and Future Planning

The manager gives the impression that, with time remaining from the global tournament, he knows the vast majority of the team he will take to Australia. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are not many existing players of the squad 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 veterans were not going to play in his strategy. He seems to have taken action sooner, avoiding the torrid start that affected the squad in the previous cycle.

Depth charts sound like they are for seafarers of the past, but managers rely on them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. On another day, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking late defeat. That they were not owes plenty to the young star, luck, and the quality of England's bench. As Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after 11 wins in a row, and therefore we can overlook the paucity of this performance.