🔗 Share this article

It is a curious aspect of the English team's autumn perfect record that no new players earned their international debut throughout the series of matches, something not seen in 25 years. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh display against the Argentine side while earning his second cap felt like the arrival of a major talent.

Standout Display in Tight Win

Ojomoh was the key player in what was the team's most challenging outing of the November series. He scored the first try before creating the remaining two. The setup for his teammate via a exquisite long pass was the highlight play of the first half. Likewise, his quick offload to Henry Slade for the team's final score was equally eye-catching, concluding a fine first outing at the home stadium for the young player.

Ojomoh possesses the sort of triple threat that every manager desire from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has appeared at number ten and at multiple midfield roles for his club this season.

Rapid Rise and Future Prospects

It is just eight days since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had finally unearthed his midfield duo for the long term. However, the highest praise that can be given to the young star is that the coach may have to reconsider. Ojomoh was initially selected to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the last game of the overseas trip to make his debut. Fitness issues to other players paved the way for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in consideration for a further appearance when the squad regroup to begin their Six Nations quest in the new year.

• Multiple Abilities: Excels at number ten and midfield.
• Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when teammates were unavailable.

Squad Background and Wider Significance

Where might the team have fared against Argentina without him? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their best player. England showed an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a significant victory over New Zealand. Maybe Borthwick should have made more changes.

Some perspective is needed, however. It is tempting to criticize the side for their inability to bring much urgency into this match, or for nearly losing a fixture they were controlling. However, this outcome marks a perfect record of November matches for the first time since recent years. 2025 concludes with eleven consecutive victories after starting with a defeat. We are halfway through the four-year tournament plan and things look much more positive for the coach than they did previously.

Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick gives the impression that, two years out from the global tournament, he understands the vast majority of the team he will bring to the host nation. Of course, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are not many current members of the roster who are not in contention for the upcoming event.

That represents an benefit because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who struggled when it was clear that certain players were not going to play in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have taken action earlier, avoiding the torrid start that affected the team in the past.

Player rankings sound like they belong to seafarers of the past, but managers 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, luck, and the strength of England's substitutes. As Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can overlook the lack of quality of the recent display.