🔗 Share this article

It is a interesting aspect of the English team's November perfect record that no new players earned their international debut throughout the series of matches, something not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against the Argentine side while securing his second appearance felt like the breakthrough of a major talent.

Star Performance in Hard-Fought Win

He proved to be the star turn in what was England's least convincing performance of the autumn. He finished off the first try before creating the other two. The setup for his teammate via a delightful cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the first half. Likewise, his popped pass to Henry Slade for the team's third try was just as eye-catching, capping off a excellent debut performance at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

Ojomoh possesses the sort of triple threat that every manager would want from their midfield player. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has appeared at fly-half and at both centre positions for Bath this campaign.

Quick Rise and Future Prospects

Only eight days since the head coach could have believed he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the long term. But, the best compliment that can be given to Ojomoh is that the coach might need to reconsider. He was initially selected to an England squad four years ago, but had to wait until the last game of the overseas trip to make his debut. Fitness issues to other players created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in consideration for a further appearance when the squad reconvene to begin their championship campaign in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Excels at number ten and centre.
• Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and assisted two.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when others were injured.

Squad Background and Wider Significance

How would the team have been against Argentina without him? Certainly they rode their luck and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their best player. The team showed an natural decline in energy following a major win over the All Blacks. Maybe the coach should have made more changes.

Some perspective is required, though. It is tempting to lambast the side for their inability to bring much urgency into this contest, or for nearly losing a fixture they were controlling. But, this outcome completes a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since 2016. The year concludes with 11 straight wins after starting with a defeat. The team is halfway through the World Cup cycle and things look much more positive for the coach than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

Borthwick gives the impression that, two years out from the global tournament, he understands the vast majority of the team he will take to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are not many existing players of the roster who are not on track for the upcoming event.

This is an benefit because it was a problem for his predecessor, who found it difficult when it was clear that certain players were not going to play in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, preventing the torrid start that affected the squad in the previous cycle.

Player rankings seem like they are for sailors of the past, but coaches rely on them and Borthwick can be happy 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, fortune, and the quality of England's bench. As Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can forgive the lack of quality of the recent display.