🔗 Share this article

It is a interesting aspect of the English team's November clean sweep that no new players earned their international debut during the recent campaign, 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 major talent.

Standout Performance in Tight Victory

He proved to be the key player in what was the team's most challenging performance of the November series. He finished off the opening touchdown before creating the remaining two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the opening period. Likewise, his popped pass to the center for the team's final score was just as eye-catching, concluding a fine first outing at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

He has the sort of triple threat that every manager would want from their inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has appeared at fly-half and at multiple midfield roles for Bath this campaign.

Quick Ascent and Future Opportunities

Only eight days since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had finally unearthed his midfield duo for the long term. However, the highest praise that can be given to the young star is that the coach might need to think again. Ojomoh was initially selected to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the final match of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Injuries to teammates created the opportunity for him to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a third cap when England reconvene to start their Six Nations quest in the new year.

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

Squad Background and Broader Implications

Where might the team have been against Argentina without Ojomoh? Certainly they had some fortune and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their best player. England showed an inevitable drop-off in energy following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Maybe the coach should have freshened things up.

Some perspective is required, however. One might be inclined to lambast the side for their inability to inject much urgency into this contest, or for almost throwing away a game they were dominating. But, this outcome marks a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since 2016. The year concludes with 11 straight wins after starting with a defeat. We are midway in the four-year tournament plan and things look considerably rosier for the coach than they did at this stage.

Player Pool and Long-Term Strategy

The manager appears that, with time remaining from the global tournament, he understands the core group of the squad he will bring to the host nation. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are very few current members of the roster who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.

This is an benefit because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who struggled when it became apparent that certain players were not going to play in his plans. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, avoiding the difficult beginning that affected the team in the previous cycle.

Depth charts sound like they are for sailors of the past, but coaches 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 is largely due to the young star, fortune, and the strength of England's bench. As Borthwick plots a course to the championship, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can overlook the lack of quality of the recent display.