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It is a interesting feature of England's autumn clean sweep that no new players made their first cap throughout the series of matches, something not seen in 25 years. Yet, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against the Argentine side while securing his second appearance seemed to be the breakthrough of a major talent.

Standout Performance in Tight Victory

Ojomoh was the key player in what was England's most challenging performance of the autumn. He finished off the opening touchdown before setting up the other two. The setup for his teammate via a exquisite cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the opening period. Similarly, his quick offload to Henry Slade for the team's third try was equally eye-catching, concluding a fine first outing at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

Ojomoh possesses the kind of versatile skillset that all coaches desire from their inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has appeared at number ten and at both centre positions for his club this season.

Rapid Ascent and Upcoming Opportunities

Only eight days since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the future. However, the highest praise that can be paid to the young star is that the coach may have to reconsider. He 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 paved the way for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in consideration for a third cap when England reconvene to begin their Six Nations campaign in the new year.

• Multiple Abilities: Excels at fly-half and centre.
• Crucial Input: Scored one try and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Delivered when others were unavailable.

Squad Background and Wider Implications

How would the team have been against their opponents without him? Certainly they rode their luck and maybe it is not surprising that he was their best player. England experienced an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a major win over the All Blacks. Maybe Borthwick should have made more changes.

Some perspective is required, though. One might be inclined to lambast the side for their failure to inject much intensity into this match, or for almost throwing away a game they were controlling. However, this outcome completes a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since recent years. 2025 concludes with 11 straight wins after starting with a loss. The team is halfway through the four-year tournament plan and things look considerably rosier for the coach than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick appears that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the vast majority of the team he will take to Australia. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are very few existing players of the squad who are not in contention for the upcoming event.

That represents an advantage because it was a problem for his preceding coach, who struggled when it was clear that certain players were not going to play in his plans. Borthwick seems to have taken action sooner, avoiding the torrid beginning that plagued the squad in the previous cycle.

Depth charts seem like they are for sailors of the past, but managers rely on them and the coach can be satisfied with his. On another day, the team might be dealing with a loss after a gut-wrenching narrow loss. That they were not owes plenty to Ojomoh, luck, and the quality of England's substitutes. While Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can overlook the lack of quality of this performance.