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This marks a curious feature of England's November clean sweep that no new players made their first cap during the recent campaign, something not seen in 25 years. However, Max Ojomoh's showing against the Argentine side while earning his second appearance felt like the breakthrough of a future star.

Standout Performance in Tight Win

He proved to be the key player in what was the team's least convincing performance of the autumn. He finished off the opening touchdown before creating the remaining two. The setup for his teammate via a exquisite cross-field kick was the highlight play of the opening period. Likewise, his popped pass to Henry Slade for England's final score was just as impressive, concluding a fine first outing at the home stadium for the young player.

Ojomoh possesses the kind of versatile skillset that every manager desire 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 season.

Quick Rise and Future Prospects

It is just a little over a week since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the future. But, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that Borthwick may have to think again. Ojomoh was first called up to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the last game of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Injuries to other players created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in consideration for a further appearance when England reconvene to begin their championship campaign in the new year.

• Multiple Abilities: Can play fly-half and midfield.
• Crucial Input: Scored one try and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Delivered when teammates were unavailable.

Squad Context and Broader Implications

How would the team have fared against Argentina without him? Certainly they rode their luck and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their best player. England showed an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a major win over the All Blacks. Maybe the coach ought to have freshened things up.

A balanced view is required, though. One might be inclined to lambast the side for their inability to bring much intensity into this contest, or for almost throwing away a fixture they were controlling. But, this result marks a perfect record of November matches for the initial occasion since 2016. 2025 concludes with 11 straight wins after beginning with a defeat. We are halfway through the World Cup cycle and things look much more positive for the coach than they did previously.

Player Pool and Future Planning

The manager gives the impression that, two years out from the global tournament, he understands the vast majority of the squad he will bring to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. But there are not many current members of the roster who are not in contention for the upcoming event.

This is an advantage because it was a problem for his preceding coach, who found it difficult when it became apparent that certain players were not going to feature in his plans. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, preventing the torrid start that affected the squad in the previous cycle.

Player rankings seem like they are for sailors of the past, but coaches swear by them and the coach can be happy with his. On another day, England might be dealing with a loss after a heartbreaking narrow loss. That they were not owes plenty to Ojomoh, luck, and the strength of the substitutes. As Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can overlook the paucity of this performance.