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It is a interesting aspect of the English team's autumn clean sweep that no new players made their first cap during the recent campaign, something not seen in 25 years. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against Argentina while securing his second cap felt like the breakthrough of a future star.

Star Performance in Hard-Fought Win

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's most challenging outing of the November series. He scored 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 first half. Likewise, his popped pass to the center for England's third try was just as impressive, concluding a excellent debut performance at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

He has the sort of triple threat that all coaches would want from their inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at fly-half and at both centre positions for Bath this season.

Rapid Rise and Future Prospects

It is just a little over a week since the head coach could have believed he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the long term. However, the highest praise that can be paid to Ojomoh is that the coach may have to reconsider. He was first called up to an England squad 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 Ojomoh to start here, and he surely will be in consideration for a further appearance when the squad reconvene to begin their Six Nations campaign in the new year.

• Versatile Skillset: Can play number ten and centre.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and assisted two.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when teammates were injured.

Squad Background and Wider Implications

How would England have been against their opponents without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and maybe it is not surprising that he was their best player. England experienced an natural decline in intensity following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Maybe Borthwick ought to have made more changes.

Some perspective is needed, though. It is tempting to lambast England for their failure to inject much urgency into this match, or for almost throwing away a game they were dominating. However, this outcome marks a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the first time since 2016. The year ends with eleven consecutive victories after starting with a defeat. We are midway in the four-year tournament plan and the situation look considerably rosier for Borthwick than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick appears that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he understands the vast majority of the team he will bring to the host nation. Of course, there will be the surprise inclusion. But there are very few existing players of the squad who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.

This is an benefit because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who found it difficult when it was clear that certain players were not going to feature in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, preventing the torrid start that affected the squad in the past.

Depth charts seem like they belong to sailors of yesteryear, but coaches swear by them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking late defeat. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to the young star, fortune, and the quality of England's substitutes. While the coach plots a course to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can forgive the lack of quality of this performance.