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This marks a interesting feature of the English team's autumn perfect record that no new players made their international debut throughout the series of matches, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against Argentina while earning his second cap seemed to be the breakthrough of a major talent.

Star Display in Tight Win

He proved to be the star turn in what was England's most challenging outing of the autumn. He scored the first try before setting up the remaining two. The setup for his teammate via a delightful long pass was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his quick offload to the center for the team's final score was equally impressive, concluding a fine first outing at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

Ojomoh possesses the sort of versatile skillset that all coaches desire from their inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has appeared at number ten and at both centre positions for Bath this season.

Quick Ascent and Upcoming Opportunities

It is just eight days since the head coach might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the future. However, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that Borthwick might need to reconsider. Ojomoh was initially selected to an national team previously, but had to bide his time until the final match of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Injuries to other players paved the way for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in contention for a third cap when England reconvene to start their championship quest in the new year.

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

Team Context and Broader Implications

Where might the team have been against their opponents without him? Certainly they had some fortune and maybe it is not surprising that he was their standout performer. The team showed an natural decline in energy following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Perhaps the coach should have freshened things up.

Some perspective is required, though. It is tempting to lambast the side for their inability to bring much intensity into this match, or for almost throwing away a fixture they were dominating. However, this outcome marks a clean sweep of November matches for the initial occasion since recent years. The year concludes with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a loss. The team is halfway through the four-year tournament plan and things look considerably rosier for the coach than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick gives the impression that, two years out from the global tournament, he understands the vast majority of the squad he will take to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. But there are very few existing players of the squad who are not in contention for the upcoming event.

This is an benefit because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who struggled when it was clear that certain players were not going to feature in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have taken action sooner, preventing the torrid start that affected the team in the previous cycle.

Depth charts seem like they belong to sailors of the past, but managers rely on them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. On another day, the team might be dealing with a loss after a heartbreaking late defeat. That they were not is largely due to Ojomoh, luck, and the quality of the substitutes. As the coach plots a course to the championship, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can forgive the paucity of this performance.