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It is a curious feature of England's autumn perfect record that no new players earned their first cap throughout the recent campaign, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against Argentina while securing his second cap felt like the breakthrough of a future star.

Star Performance in Hard-Fought Win

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's least convincing performance of the November series. He scored the first try before creating the other two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the first half. Similarly, his quick offload to the center for the team's third try was equally impressive, concluding a fine first outing at Twickenham for the young player.

He has the sort of versatile skillset that every manager desire from their inside-centre. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has featured at number ten and at multiple midfield roles for Bath this season.

Quick Ascent and Upcoming Opportunities

Only eight days since the head coach might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the long term. But, the best compliment that can be paid to the young star is that the coach might need to reconsider. Ojomoh was first called up to an national team previously, but had to wait until the final match of the summer tour to make his debut. Injuries to teammates created the opportunity for him to start here, and he surely will be in contention for a further appearance when the squad regroup to begin their championship 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 others were unavailable.

Squad Background and Broader Implications

How would the team have fared against their opponents without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and maybe it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team showed an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a significant victory over New Zealand. Perhaps Borthwick should have freshened things up.

A balanced view is needed, however. One might be inclined to lambast England for their failure to bring much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a game they were dominating. However, this result completes a perfect record of November matches for the initial occasion since recent years. The year concludes with 11 straight wins after beginning with a loss. We are halfway through the World Cup cycle and things look considerably rosier for Borthwick than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick gives the impression that, with time remaining from the global tournament, he understands the vast majority of the squad he will bring to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. But there are not many existing players of the squad who are not on track for the upcoming event.

That represents an benefit because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who found it difficult when it was clear that certain players were not going to feature in his plans. He seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, preventing the torrid start that affected the team in the past.

Depth charts seem like they are for seafarers of the past, but coaches rely on them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking late defeat. That they were not owes plenty to Ojomoh, luck, and the quality of England's bench. While the coach plots a course to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can forgive the lack of quality of the recent display.