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This marks a curious feature of the English team's autumn perfect record that no new players earned their international debut during the series of matches, a scenario not seen in 25 years. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against Argentina while securing his second cap felt like the breakthrough of a future star.

Standout Display in Hard-Fought Victory

Ojomoh was the key player in what was England's most challenging performance of the autumn. He finished off the first try before creating the remaining two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite long pass was the highlight play of the first half. Likewise, his quick offload to the center for the team's final score was just as eye-catching, concluding a fine debut performance at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

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

Quick Ascent and Upcoming Opportunities

Only eight days since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the long term. However, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that the coach may have to reconsider. He was first called up to an national team previously, but had to bide his time until the final match of the overseas trip to earn his first cap. Injuries to teammates created the opportunity for Ojomoh to start here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a third cap when England reconvene to begin their championship campaign in the coming months.

• Versatile Skillset: Excels at number ten and midfield.
• Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and assisted two.
• Important Performance: Delivered when teammates were unavailable.

Squad Background and Broader Implications

Where might the team have fared against their opponents without him? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their best player. England experienced an natural decline in intensity following a major win over the All Blacks. Perhaps Borthwick ought to have freshened things up.

Some perspective is required, though. One might be inclined to lambast the side for their failure to inject much urgency into this contest, or for almost throwing away a game they were controlling. However, this result completes a clean sweep of November matches for the initial occasion since 2016. 2025 ends with 11 straight wins after starting with a defeat. The team is midway in the World Cup cycle and things look considerably rosier for the coach than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

The manager gives the impression that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the team he will bring to the host nation. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are very few existing players of the squad who are not in contention for the upcoming event.

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

Depth charts sound like they are for seafarers of the past, but coaches rely on them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, England might be dealing with a loss after a heartbreaking narrow loss. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to Ojomoh, fortune, and the quality of the bench. As the coach plots a course to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can overlook the paucity of the recent display.