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It is a curious aspect of the English team's autumn clean sweep that no new players earned their international debut throughout the series of matches, a scenario not seen in 25 years. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh display against Argentina while securing his second appearance seemed to be the breakthrough of a future star.

Standout Performance in Tight Win

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's most challenging performance of the autumn. He scored the opening touchdown before creating the remaining two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite cross-field kick was the highlight play of the opening period. Likewise, his quick offload to Henry Slade for England's third try was equally eye-catching, capping off a excellent first outing 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 featured at fly-half and at both centre positions for Bath this campaign.

Quick Rise and Future Opportunities

It is just eight days since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had finally unearthed his midfield duo for the future. However, the best compliment that can be paid to the young star is that the coach may have to think again. He was initially selected to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the final match of the overseas trip to earn his first cap. Injuries to other players created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in contention for a third cap when England regroup to start their championship quest in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Can play fly-half and midfield.
• Crucial Input: Scored one try and set up two more.
• Timely Impact: Stepped up when others were injured.

Team Background and Wider Significance

How would the team have fared against Argentina without him? Certainly they rode their luck and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their best player. England showed an natural decline in energy following a major win over New Zealand. Maybe the coach ought to have made more changes.

A balanced view is needed, however. One might be inclined to criticize England for their failure to inject much intensity into this match, or for almost throwing away a game they were dominating. However, this outcome completes a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the first time since recent years. The year concludes with eleven consecutive victories after starting with a defeat. The team is midway in the four-year tournament plan and things look considerably rosier for Borthwick than they did at this stage.

Player Pool and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick gives the impression that, with time remaining from the global tournament, he understands the core group of the team he will take to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. But there are not many current members of the squad who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.

This is an advantage because it was a problem for his predecessor, who struggled when it was clear that veterans were not going to feature in his plans. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, preventing the torrid beginning that affected the squad in the past.

Player rankings sound like they are for sailors of the past, but managers swear by them and the coach can be happy with his. On another day, the team might be dealing with a loss after a heartbreaking narrow loss. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to Ojomoh, luck, and the strength of the substitutes. While the coach plots a course to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can forgive the paucity of this performance.