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It is a curious feature of the English team's autumn perfect record that no new players earned their international debut during the recent campaign, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. However, Max Ojomoh's display against the Argentine side while securing his second appearance felt like the arrival of a future star.

Star Display in Tight Victory

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. The setup for his teammate via a exquisite cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the opening period. Likewise, his quick offload to the center for England's final score was just as impressive, capping off a fine first outing at the home stadium for the young player.

Ojomoh possesses the kind of versatile skillset that every manager would want from their inside-centre. 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 Ascent and Upcoming Prospects

It is just eight days since the head coach might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the long term. But, the highest praise that can be paid to the young star is that Borthwick might need to think again. Ojomoh was initially selected to an England squad previously, but had to bide his time until the last game of the summer tour to make his debut. Fitness issues to teammates created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in contention for a further appearance when the squad regroup to begin their Six Nations quest in the new year.

• Multiple Abilities: Excels at fly-half and centre.
• Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Timely Impact: Stepped up when others were unavailable.

Squad Background and Wider Implications

Where might the team have fared against Argentina without him? Certainly they rode their luck and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their best player. England experienced an natural decline in intensity following a major win over the All Blacks. Maybe the coach should have freshened things up.

Some perspective is needed, however. It is tempting to criticize the side for their failure to bring much urgency into this match, or for nearly losing a game they were controlling. However, this result marks a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the first time since 2016. The year ends with 11 straight wins after beginning with a defeat. We are midway in the World Cup cycle and things look much more positive for the coach than they did previously.

Player Pool and Future Planning

Borthwick appears that, two years out from the global tournament, he knows the vast majority of the team he will bring to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. But there are not many current members of the squad who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.

That represents 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 strategy. He seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, avoiding the difficult beginning that plagued the team in the previous cycle.

Depth charts sound like they are for sailors of yesteryear, but coaches rely on them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, the team might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching narrow loss. That they were not is largely due to the young star, fortune, and the strength of the substitutes. As the coach plots a course to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can overlook the paucity of this performance.