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It is a curious feature of the English team's autumn perfect record that no new players made their international debut throughout the recent campaign, a scenario not seen in 25 years. However, Max Ojomoh's showing against Argentina while securing his second cap seemed to be the arrival of a major talent.

Star Performance in Tight Win

He proved to be the key player in what was the team's most challenging performance of the autumn. He finished off the first try before setting up the other two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite long pass was the champagne moment of the opening period. Likewise, his quick offload to Henry Slade for the team's third try was just as eye-catching, concluding a excellent first outing at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

He has the sort of triple threat that all coaches desire from their midfield player. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has appeared at number ten and at both centre positions for Bath this season.

Quick Ascent and Future Prospects

It is just a little over a week since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had finally unearthed his midfield duo for the long term. But, the highest praise that can be paid to the young star is that the coach might need to think again. He was initially selected to an England squad previously, but had to bide his time until the final match of the overseas trip to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to teammates paved the way for Ojomoh to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a third cap when the squad reconvene to begin their Six Nations quest in the coming months.

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

Squad Context and Broader Significance

How would the team have been against their opponents without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and maybe it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team experienced an inevitable drop-off in energy following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Maybe the coach should have made more changes.

A balanced view is needed, though. One might be inclined to lambast the side for their failure to bring much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a game they were controlling. However, this outcome completes a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the first time since 2016. 2025 concludes with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a defeat. The team is midway in the World Cup cycle and things look much more positive for Borthwick than they did at this stage.

Player Pool and Long-Term Strategy

The manager gives the impression that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the vast majority of the team he will bring to Australia. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. But there are not many existing players of the squad who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.

This is an benefit because it was a problem for his preceding coach, who found it difficult when it was clear that veterans were not going to play in his plans. He seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, preventing the difficult beginning that affected the team in the previous cycle.

Player rankings seem like they are for seafarers of the past, but managers rely on them and the coach can be happy with his. On another day, the team might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking late defeat. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to the young star, luck, and the quality of England's substitutes. As the coach plots a course to the championship, he has positive momentum after 11 wins in a row, and therefore we can overlook the lack of quality of the recent display.