🔗 Share this article

This marks a curious aspect of the English team's autumn perfect record that there were no debutants earned their first cap during the recent campaign, something not seen in 25 years. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against the Argentine side while securing his second cap felt like the arrival of a major talent.

Star Display in Hard-Fought Victory

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was England's most challenging outing of the autumn. He scored the opening touchdown before setting up the other two. His assist for his teammate via a delightful cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the opening period. Likewise, his quick offload to Henry Slade for the team's third try was equally impressive, capping off a fine first outing at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

He has the kind of versatile skillset that every manager would want from their inside-centre. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has appeared at fly-half and at multiple midfield roles for his club this season.

Quick Rise and Upcoming Prospects

It is just a little over a week since the head coach could have believed he had discovered his centre partnership for the future. But, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that the coach might need to reconsider. Ojomoh was first called up to an national team four years ago, but had to wait until the final match of the overseas trip to make his debut. Injuries to teammates created the opportunity for him to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in consideration for a third cap when the squad regroup to start their championship quest in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Can play fly-half and centre.
• Key Contributions: Scored one try and assisted two.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when teammates were unavailable.

Team Background and Broader Implications

Where might the team have been against their opponents without Ojomoh? Certainly they had some fortune and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their best player. The team experienced an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a significant victory over New Zealand. Perhaps Borthwick ought to have made more changes.

A balanced view is required, however. One might be inclined to lambast England for their inability to inject much urgency into this match, or for almost throwing away a fixture they were controlling. However, this outcome completes a clean sweep of November matches for the first time since recent years. 2025 concludes with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a defeat. We are halfway through the World Cup cycle and the situation look considerably rosier for Borthwick than they did at this stage.

Player Pool and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick appears that, two years out from the global tournament, he knows the core group of the squad he will bring to the host nation. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are not many current members of the squad who are not in contention for the upcoming event.

This is an advantage because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who struggled when it was clear that veterans were not going to feature in his plans. Borthwick seems to have taken action earlier, avoiding the difficult start that affected the squad in the previous cycle.

Depth charts sound like they are for 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 gut-wrenching narrow loss. The fact they avoided that is largely due to Ojomoh, luck, and the quality of England's bench. While the coach plans the route to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can overlook the paucity of the recent display.