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It is a interesting feature of the English team's November perfect record that no new players earned their first cap during the recent campaign, something not seen in 25 years. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against Argentina while earning his second appearance felt like the breakthrough of a major talent.

Star Performance in Tight Win

He proved to be the key player in what was the team's most challenging outing of the autumn. He scored the opening touchdown before setting up the other two. The setup for his teammate via a delightful long pass was the champagne moment of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to Henry Slade for the team's third try was equally eye-catching, concluding a fine debut performance at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

Ojomoh possesses the sort of versatile skillset that all coaches would want from their inside-centre. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has appeared at number ten and at both centre positions for Bath this campaign.

Rapid Rise and Upcoming Opportunities

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 given to Ojomoh is that Borthwick might need to think again. He was first called up to an national team four years ago, but had to wait until the last game of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to other players created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in contention for a further appearance when the squad regroup to start their championship campaign in the new year.

• Versatile Skillset: Excels at fly-half and midfield.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and assisted two.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when others were unavailable.

Squad Context and Wider Implications

Where might the team have fared against Argentina without him? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and maybe it is not surprising that he was their standout performer. The team showed an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a major win over the All Blacks. Maybe the coach should have made more changes.

A balanced view is required, however. It is tempting to criticize the side for their inability to bring much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a fixture they were dominating. However, this result completes a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since recent years. 2025 concludes with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a loss. We are halfway through the four-year tournament plan and the situation look considerably rosier for the coach than they did previously.

Player Pool and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick appears that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the squad he will take to Australia. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are very few existing players of the roster who are not in contention for the 2027 tournament.

That represents an benefit because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who found it difficult when it was clear that veterans were not going to play in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have taken action earlier, avoiding the difficult beginning that plagued the squad in the past.

Depth charts sound like they belong to sailors of yesteryear, but managers rely on them and the coach can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, the team might be dealing with a loss after a heartbreaking narrow loss. That they were not is largely due to the young star, fortune, and the quality of England's substitutes. While the coach plans the route to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can overlook the lack of quality of the recent display.