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This marks a curious aspect of the English team's November clean sweep that no new players made their international debut throughout the series of matches, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. However, Max Ojomoh's display against Argentina while earning his second appearance felt like the breakthrough of a major talent.

Standout Performance in Hard-Fought Victory

He proved to be the star turn in what was the team's most challenging outing of the November series. He finished off the opening touchdown before creating the other two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite cross-field kick was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for England's final score was equally impressive, concluding a fine first outing at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

He has the kind of versatile skillset that all coaches would want from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at fly-half and at both centre positions for his club this campaign.

Quick Rise and Future Opportunities

Only a little over a week since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the future. But, the highest praise that can be given to Ojomoh is that the coach may have to reconsider. He was initially selected to an England squad previously, but had to wait until the last game of the summer tour to make his debut. Injuries to other players paved the way for him to start here, and he surely will be in contention for a third cap when the squad reconvene to begin their championship campaign in the coming months.

• Versatile Skillset: Excels at number ten and midfield.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when others were unavailable.

Team Context and Wider Significance

Where might the team have been against Argentina without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their standout performer. England showed an natural decline in energy following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Perhaps the coach ought to have freshened things up.

Some perspective is needed, however. One might be inclined to lambast the side for their failure to inject much urgency into this contest, or for nearly losing a fixture they were dominating. However, this outcome completes a perfect record of November matches for the initial occasion since recent years. The year ends with 11 straight wins after starting with a defeat. The team is halfway through the World Cup cycle and things look much more positive for Borthwick than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick appears that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he knows the vast majority of the team he will take to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. But there are not many current members of the squad who are not on track for the upcoming event.

This is an advantage because it was a problem for his predecessor, who found it difficult when it was clear that veterans were not going to feature in his plans. Borthwick seems to have taken action sooner, avoiding the difficult beginning that affected the squad in the previous cycle.

Player rankings seem like they belong to 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 gut-wrenching late defeat. That they were not owes plenty to Ojomoh, luck, and the strength of England's bench. As Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can overlook the lack of quality of this performance.