🔗 Share this article

This marks a interesting feature of the English team's November perfect record that no new players earned their first cap throughout the series of matches, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against the Argentine side while earning his second appearance seemed to be the breakthrough of a future star.

Standout Performance in Tight Win

He proved to be the star turn in what was the team's least convincing outing of the autumn. He scored the first try before creating the remaining two. The setup for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful long pass was the champagne moment of the opening period. Similarly, his quick offload to the center for the team's final score was just as eye-catching, concluding a fine debut performance at the home stadium for the young player.

He has the sort of versatile skillset that all coaches would want from their inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at fly-half and at both centre positions for his club this campaign.

Rapid Rise and Upcoming Prospects

Only eight days since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had discovered his midfield duo for the future. However, the best compliment that can be given to the young star is that Borthwick may have to think again. 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. Fitness issues to other players paved the way for Ojomoh to start here, and he surely will be in consideration for a further appearance when England reconvene to begin their Six Nations campaign in the coming months.

• Versatile Skillset: Excels at number ten and centre.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Timely Impact: Stepped up when teammates were injured.

Squad Context and Wider Implications

Where might England have been against their opponents without him? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their standout performer. England experienced an natural decline in energy following a major win over New Zealand. Maybe Borthwick ought to have freshened things up.

A balanced view is needed, though. It is tempting to criticize England for their failure to inject much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a fixture they were controlling. 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 starting with a defeat. We are midway in the four-year tournament plan and the situation look considerably rosier for Borthwick than they did previously.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

Borthwick appears that, two years out from the global tournament, he understands the vast majority of the team he will bring to Australia. Of course, there will be the surprise inclusion. But there are very few existing players of the squad who are not in contention for the upcoming event.

That represents an advantage because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who struggled when it became apparent that veterans were not going to play in his plans. He seems to have taken action earlier, avoiding the difficult start that plagued the team in the previous cycle.

Depth charts sound like they belong to sailors of the past, but coaches rely on them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. On another day, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking narrow loss. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to Ojomoh, fortune, and the strength of England's substitutes. While Borthwick plots a course to the championship, he has positive momentum after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can forgive the lack of quality of this performance.