🔗 Share this article

It is a interesting feature of England's autumn perfect record that no new players made their international debut throughout the recent campaign, something not seen in 25 years. Yet, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against the Argentine side while securing his second appearance felt like the arrival of a future star.

Star Display in Hard-Fought Win

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's least convincing performance of the November series. He finished off the first try before creating the remaining two. His assist for his teammate via a delightful cross-field kick was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to Henry Slade for England's third try was equally impressive, concluding a fine debut performance at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

Ojomoh possesses the sort of triple threat that every manager would want from their midfield player. 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 Future Opportunities

It is just a little over a week since the head coach might have felt he had discovered his centre partnership for the future. However, the best compliment that can be given to the young star is that Borthwick might need to reconsider. He was first called up to an national team four years ago, but had to wait until the final match of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Injuries to teammates created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in consideration for a third cap when England regroup to begin their championship campaign in the new year.

• Versatile Skillset: Excels at fly-half and midfield.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and assisted two.
• Timely Impact: Delivered when others were injured.

Team Background and Broader Significance

Where might England have been against their opponents without him? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team showed an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Maybe Borthwick ought to have made more changes.

A balanced view is needed, though. It is tempting to lambast the side for their inability to inject much intensity into this contest, or for almost throwing away a fixture they were controlling. However, this outcome completes a perfect record of November matches for the initial occasion since 2016. The year concludes with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a loss. We are midway in the four-year tournament plan and things look much more positive for Borthwick than they did previously.

Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy

The manager appears that, with time remaining from the global tournament, he understands the core group of the team he will take to Australia. Of course, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are very few existing players of the squad who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.

That represents an advantage because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who struggled when it became apparent that certain players were not going to feature in his plans. Borthwick seems to have taken action sooner, avoiding the torrid start that plagued the team in the previous cycle.

Player rankings sound like they belong to sailors of yesteryear, but managers rely on them and the coach can be happy with his. On another day, England might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching narrow loss. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to Ojomoh, fortune, and the quality of England's substitutes. As Borthwick plots a course to the championship, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can forgive the paucity of the recent display.