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This marks a curious aspect of the English team's autumn clean sweep that no new players made their first cap during the recent campaign, something not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, Max Ojomoh's display against Argentina while securing his second appearance seemed to be the breakthrough of a future star.

Star Display in Tight Victory

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's least convincing outing of the November series. He scored the first try before creating the other two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful long pass was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to Henry Slade for England's final score was just as eye-catching, concluding a excellent first outing at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

Ojomoh possesses the sort of versatile skillset that all coaches 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 his club this season.

Quick Ascent and Upcoming Prospects

Only a little over a week since the head coach might have felt he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the long term. However, the best compliment that can be given to Ojomoh is that Borthwick might need to reconsider. He was first called up to an national team previously, but had to bide his time until the final match of the summer tour to make his debut. Fitness issues to teammates created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a third cap when England regroup to start their Six Nations quest in the new year.

• Multiple Abilities: Can play fly-half and midfield.
• Key Contributions: Scored one try and set up two more.
• Timely Impact: Delivered when teammates were unavailable.

Squad Context and Wider Significance

How would the team have been against their opponents without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and maybe it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team experienced an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a significant victory over New Zealand. Perhaps the coach ought to have made more changes.

Some perspective is required, though. One might be inclined to lambast England for their failure to bring much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a fixture they were controlling. However, this result marks a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since recent years. 2025 concludes with eleven consecutive victories after starting with a defeat. The team is halfway through the World Cup cycle and the situation look much more positive for Borthwick than they did previously.

Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick gives the impression that, two years out from the global tournament, he knows the vast majority of the team he will take to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. But there are not many existing players of the roster who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.

That represents an benefit because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who struggled when it was clear that certain players were not going to play in his plans. Borthwick seems to have taken action earlier, preventing the difficult beginning that affected the squad in the previous cycle.

Depth charts sound like they are for sailors of yesteryear, but coaches swear by them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, England might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching late defeat. That they were not owes plenty to the young star, fortune, and the quality of the substitutes. While Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can forgive the lack of quality of the recent display.