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It is a interesting feature of the English team's November perfect record that there were no debutants made their international debut throughout the recent campaign, something not seen in a quarter of a century. However, Max Ojomoh's showing against the Argentine side while earning his second cap felt like the arrival of a major talent.

Star Performance in Tight Victory

Ojomoh was the key player in what was England's most challenging performance of the November series. He scored the first try before setting up the other two. The setup for his teammate via a delightful long pass was the highlight play of the opening period. Likewise, his quick offload to the center for England's third try was just as impressive, concluding a fine debut performance at Twickenham for the young player.

Ojomoh possesses the kind of triple threat that every manager would want from their inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at fly-half and at multiple midfield roles for Bath this season.

Rapid Ascent and Upcoming Opportunities

It is just a little over a week since the head coach might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the future. But, the best compliment that can be paid to the young star is that Borthwick may have to reconsider. He was first called up to an England squad previously, but had to bide his time until the final match of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to teammates created the opportunity for him to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in consideration for a third cap when the squad regroup to begin their Six Nations campaign in the new year.

• Versatile Skillset: Can play fly-half and centre.
• Key Contributions: Scored one try and assisted two.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when teammates were injured.

Team Background and Wider Implications

Where might the team have fared against their opponents without Ojomoh? Certainly they had some fortune and maybe it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team showed an inevitable drop-off in energy following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Perhaps the coach ought to have made more changes.

Some perspective is required, though. It is tempting to criticize England for their failure to bring much intensity into this contest, or for nearly losing a game they were controlling. However, this outcome marks a perfect record of November matches for the initial occasion since 2016. The year concludes with 11 straight wins after beginning with a loss. The team is halfway through the World Cup cycle and the situation look considerably rosier for the coach than they did previously.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

Borthwick gives the impression that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he knows the vast majority of the squad he will bring to the host nation. Of course, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet 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 predecessor, who struggled when it was clear that veterans were not going to play in his strategy. He seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, preventing the difficult start that plagued the squad in the past.

Player rankings seem like they are for seafarers of the past, but coaches rely on them and the coach 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 Ojomoh, fortune, and the strength of the bench. As Borthwick plots a course to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can forgive the paucity of this performance.