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It is a interesting feature 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 a quarter of a century. Yet, Max Ojomoh's display against Argentina while securing his second cap felt like the breakthrough of a major talent.

Standout Display in Hard-Fought Victory

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 other two. The setup for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful long pass was the champagne moment of the opening period. Likewise, his popped pass to Henry Slade for the team's final score was equally impressive, capping off a fine first outing at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

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

Quick Rise and Future Prospects

It is just a little over a week since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the long term. However, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that the coach might need to reconsider. He 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 earn his first cap. Injuries to teammates created the opportunity for Ojomoh to start here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a third cap when the squad reconvene to start their Six Nations campaign in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Excels at number ten and centre.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and assisted two.
• Important Performance: Delivered when teammates were injured.

Team Context and Wider Significance

How would the team have fared against Argentina without Ojomoh? Certainly they had some fortune and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their best player. England showed an inevitable drop-off in energy following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Perhaps the coach ought to have freshened things up.

A balanced view is required, however. One might be inclined to lambast the side for their failure to bring much intensity into this match, or for almost throwing away a game they were dominating. But, this result completes a clean sweep of November matches for the first time since 2016. The year ends with 11 straight wins after beginning with a defeat. The team is halfway through the World Cup cycle and the situation look considerably rosier for Borthwick than they did previously.

Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy

The manager appears that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the team he will take to Australia. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. But there are not many existing players of the roster who are not in contention for the 2027 tournament.

This is an benefit because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who found it difficult when it became apparent that veterans were not going to feature in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have taken action sooner, preventing the difficult start that plagued the squad in the previous cycle.

Depth charts seem like they are for sailors of the past, but coaches rely on them and the coach can be satisfied with his. On another day, the team might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching late defeat. That they were not is largely due to Ojomoh, luck, and the strength of the bench. As the coach plots a course to the championship, he has positive momentum after 11 wins in a row, and therefore we can forgive the lack of quality of this performance.