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This marks a interesting feature of the English team's autumn perfect record that no new players earned their first cap throughout the series of matches, something not seen in 25 years. However, Max Ojomoh's display against the Argentine side while securing his second cap felt like the breakthrough of a future star.

Star Performance in Tight Win

He proved to be the star turn in what was England's least convincing outing of the November series. He finished off the first try before setting up the remaining two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the opening period. Likewise, his quick offload to Henry Slade for the team's final score was equally impressive, concluding a fine first outing at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

Ojomoh possesses the sort of versatile skillset that every manager would want from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has appeared at fly-half and at multiple midfield roles for his club this season.

Rapid Ascent and Upcoming Prospects

Only a little over a week since the head coach might have felt he had discovered his centre partnership for the future. But, the best compliment that can be paid to the young star is that Borthwick might need to think again. Ojomoh was first called up to an national team previously, but had to wait until the last game of the overseas trip to make his debut. Fitness issues to other players paved the way for him to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a further appearance when the squad regroup to begin their championship campaign in the new year.

• Multiple Abilities: Excels at fly-half and centre.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when others were unavailable.

Team Background and Broader Significance

Where might England have fared against their opponents without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their best player. England experienced an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a significant victory over New Zealand. Perhaps Borthwick ought to have freshened things up.

Some perspective is required, though. One might be inclined to lambast the side for their inability to bring much urgency into this contest, or for almost throwing away a fixture they were dominating. However, this result marks a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since recent years. 2025 concludes with eleven consecutive victories after starting with a defeat. We are midway in the World Cup cycle and things look much more positive for the coach than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick gives the impression that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the team he will bring to Australia. Of course, there will be the surprise inclusion. But there are not many 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 preceding coach, who struggled when it was clear that veterans were not going to play in his plans. He seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, avoiding the torrid beginning that plagued the team in the past.

Player rankings sound like they belong to sailors of the past, but managers rely on them and the coach can be satisfied with his. On another day, the team might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching 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 championship, he has wind in England's sails after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can forgive the lack of quality of the recent display.