🔗 Share this article

This marks a interesting aspect of the English team's autumn clean sweep that there were no debutants earned their first cap during the series of matches, a scenario not seen in 25 years. Yet, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against Argentina while securing his second appearance felt like the arrival of a major talent.

Standout Display in Tight Victory

He proved to be the key player in what was England's least convincing performance of the November series. He finished off the first try before creating the remaining two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite long pass was the highlight play of the opening period. Likewise, his popped pass to Henry Slade for the team's third try was equally impressive, capping off a excellent first outing at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

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 appeared at number ten and at multiple midfield roles for Bath this season.

Quick Rise and Future Prospects

Only eight days since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had finally unearthed his midfield duo for the future. However, the highest praise that can be given to Ojomoh is that the coach might need to think again. Ojomoh was initially selected to an national team four years ago, but had to wait until the final match of the summer tour to make his debut. Injuries to other players created the opportunity for him to begin here, and he surely will be in consideration for a further appearance when England reconvene to begin their Six Nations quest in the new year.

• Multiple Abilities: Can play number ten and centre.
• Key Contributions: Scored one try and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when others were injured.

Squad Background and Broader Significance

Where might England have fared against their opponents without him? Certainly they rode their luck and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their best player. England experienced an inevitable drop-off in energy following a major win over the All Blacks. Perhaps Borthwick should have made more changes.

Some perspective is required, however. One might be inclined to lambast England for their inability to inject much intensity into this contest, or for almost throwing away a game they were controlling. But, this result completes a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since 2016. The year concludes with eleven consecutive victories after starting with a defeat. We are halfway through the four-year tournament plan and the situation look considerably rosier for the coach than they did previously.

Player Pool and Long-Term Strategy

The manager gives the impression that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the team he will take to Australia. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are very few current members of the roster who are not in contention for the 2027 tournament.

This is an benefit because it was a problem for his predecessor, who found it difficult when it was clear that veterans were not going to feature in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, preventing the difficult beginning that affected the team in the past.

Player rankings seem like they are for sailors 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 gut-wrenching narrow loss. That they were not owes plenty to the young star, fortune, and the quality of the bench. While Borthwick plots a course to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can overlook the lack of quality of the recent display.