🔗 Share this article

This marks a curious feature of England's autumn perfect record that there were no debutants earned their international debut throughout the series of matches, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. However, Max Ojomoh's display against the Argentine side while earning his second appearance seemed to be the breakthrough of a future star.

Standout Performance in Hard-Fought Win

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was England's least convincing performance of the November series. He scored the opening touchdown before setting up the remaining two. His assist for his teammate via a delightful cross-field kick was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for England's final score was just as eye-catching, capping off a excellent first outing at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

Ojomoh possesses the kind of triple threat that every manager desire from their midfield player. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has featured at fly-half and at multiple midfield roles for his club this season.

Rapid Rise and Upcoming Opportunities

It is just eight days since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had finally unearthed his midfield duo for the long term. But, the highest praise that can be given to Ojomoh is that the coach may have to think again. He was initially selected to an national team previously, but had to bide his time until the last game of the overseas trip to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to teammates paved the way for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in consideration for a third cap when the squad regroup to begin their championship quest in the new year.

• Multiple Abilities: Can play number ten and midfield.
• Crucial Input: Scored one try and assisted two.
• Important Performance: Delivered when teammates were unavailable.

Team Background and Broader Implications

Where might the team have fared against their opponents without him? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and maybe it is not surprising that he was their standout performer. England experienced an natural decline in energy following a major win over the All Blacks. Perhaps Borthwick ought to have made more changes.

A balanced view is needed, however. One might be inclined to criticize England for their inability to bring much intensity into this contest, or for nearly losing a game they were dominating. However, this outcome marks a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since recent years. The year concludes with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a defeat. The team is halfway through the World Cup cycle and things look much more positive for Borthwick than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

Borthwick appears that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the team he will take to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. But there are very few existing players of the squad who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.

This is an advantage 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. He seems to have taken action sooner, avoiding the difficult start that affected the squad in the previous cycle.

Depth charts sound like they belong to seafarers of the past, but coaches swear by them and Borthwick can be happy with his. Under different circumstances, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking late defeat. That they were not is largely due to Ojomoh, fortune, and the strength of England's substitutes. While the coach plots a course to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can overlook the paucity of the recent display.