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This marks a interesting aspect of the English team's November clean sweep that no new players made their first cap during the recent campaign, something not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against the Argentine side while earning his second appearance seemed to be the arrival of a future star.

Standout Display in Tight Win

Ojomoh was the key player in what was England's least convincing performance of the November series. He finished off the first try before setting up the remaining two. His assist for his teammate via a exquisite cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to Henry Slade for England's final score was equally impressive, capping off a excellent debut performance at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

He has the sort of triple threat that all coaches desire from their midfield player. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has appeared at fly-half and at both centre positions for his club this campaign.

Quick Ascent and Future Prospects

It is just a little over a week since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had discovered his centre partnership for the long term. However, the highest praise that can be paid to the young star is that the coach may have to reconsider. Ojomoh was initially selected to an England squad previously, but had to wait until the final match of the overseas trip to make his debut. Fitness issues to teammates created the opportunity for Ojomoh to start here, and he surely will be in contention for a third cap when England regroup to start their Six Nations quest in the new year.

• Multiple Abilities: Excels at fly-half and midfield.
• Crucial Input: Scored one try and set up two more.
• Timely Impact: Delivered when teammates were unavailable.

Team Context and Broader Significance

Where might England have been against Argentina without him? Certainly they rode their luck and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their best player. The team experienced an natural decline in intensity following a major win over the All Blacks. Maybe the coach should have made more changes.

A balanced view is needed, however. It is tempting to lambast the side for their inability to bring much urgency into this contest, or for almost throwing away a game they were dominating. However, this result completes a clean sweep of November matches for the first time since recent years. The year ends with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a loss. We are halfway through the four-year tournament plan and the situation look much more positive for the coach than they did at this stage.

Player Pool and Future Planning

Borthwick appears that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the squad he will take to Australia. Of course, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are very few existing players of the squad who are not on track for the upcoming event.

That represents an benefit because it was a problem for his predecessor, who found it difficult when it became apparent that veterans were not going to feature in his plans. He seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, preventing the difficult start that affected the squad in the previous cycle.

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