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This marks a interesting feature of the English team's November perfect record that no new players earned their first cap throughout the recent campaign, a scenario not seen in 25 years. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against Argentina while earning his second appearance felt like the breakthrough of a future star.

Standout Display in Tight Win

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's most challenging performance of the autumn. He finished off the opening touchdown before setting up the other two. The setup for his teammate via a delightful cross-field kick was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to Henry Slade for England's final score was just as eye-catching, concluding a fine debut performance at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

Ojomoh possesses the sort of triple threat that all coaches desire from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has appeared at number ten and at multiple midfield roles for Bath this season.

Rapid Ascent and Upcoming Prospects

It is just a little over a week since the head coach might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the future. However, the best compliment that can be given to the young star is that the coach might need to reconsider. Ojomoh was first called up to an England squad four years ago, but had to wait until the last game of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Injuries to teammates paved the way for him to begin here, and he surely will be in consideration for a third cap when England regroup to begin their Six Nations campaign in the coming months.

• Versatile Skillset: Excels at number ten and centre.
• Crucial Input: 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 their opponents without Ojomoh? Certainly they rode their luck and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team showed an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Perhaps the coach should have freshened things up.

Some perspective is required, however. It is tempting to lambast England for their inability to bring much urgency into this contest, or for nearly losing a fixture they were controlling. But, this result completes a perfect record of November matches for the first time since 2016. 2025 concludes with 11 straight wins after starting with a defeat. The team is midway in the four-year tournament plan and the situation look considerably rosier for the coach than they did previously.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

The manager appears that, two years out from the World Cup, he understands the core group of the team he will bring to the host nation. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are not many existing players of the roster who are not in contention for the 2027 tournament.

This is an benefit because it was a problem for his predecessor, who struggled when it became apparent that veterans were not going to feature in his plans. He seems to have taken action earlier, preventing the difficult beginning that affected the squad in the previous cycle.

Depth charts seem like they are for seafarers of yesteryear, but coaches swear by them and the coach can be satisfied with his. On another day, England might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching late defeat. The fact they avoided that is largely due to the young star, luck, and the strength of the substitutes. While the coach plots a course to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can forgive the lack of quality of this performance.