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It is a curious aspect of England's November perfect record that no new players made their international debut throughout the recent campaign, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. However, Max Ojomoh's showing against Argentina while securing his second appearance felt like the arrival of a future star.

Star Display in Tight Win

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's most challenging outing of the November series. He finished off the opening touchdown before setting up the other two. The setup 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 equally eye-catching, concluding a excellent first outing at Twickenham for the young player.

Ojomoh possesses the sort of versatile skillset that every manager would want from their midfield player. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has appeared at number ten and at both centre positions for his club this season.

Rapid Ascent and Future Prospects

It is just eight days since the head coach could have believed he had discovered his centre partnership for the future. However, the highest praise that can be given to Ojomoh is that the coach may have to reconsider. He was initially selected to an national team previously, but had to wait until the final match of the overseas trip to make his debut. Fitness issues to other players created the opportunity for him to begin here, and he surely will be in contention for a third cap when the squad regroup to start their Six Nations quest in the new year.

• Versatile Skillset: Excels at fly-half and centre.
• Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when others were unavailable.

Team Context and Broader Significance

How would England have fared against Argentina without him? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their standout performer. England experienced an inevitable drop-off in energy following a major win over New Zealand. Maybe the coach should have made more changes.

Some perspective is required, however. It is tempting to lambast the side for their failure to bring much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a game they were controlling. But, this result marks a clean sweep of November matches for the initial occasion since 2016. The year ends with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a loss. We are halfway through the World Cup cycle and things look considerably rosier for the coach than they did previously.

Player Pool and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick appears that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the vast majority of the team he will take to Australia. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are very few existing players 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 found it difficult when it became apparent that certain players were not going to play in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, preventing the difficult beginning that plagued the squad in the previous cycle.

Player rankings sound like they belong to sailors of yesteryear, but managers rely on them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. On another day, England might be dealing with a loss after a gut-wrenching late defeat. That they were not is largely due to the young star, luck, and the quality of the substitutes. As the coach 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 lack of quality of this performance.