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A new coach, a new captain, a new era. With a team that contained half of the caps of their opponents, with 7 players and a coach making their debut, this was a time for England to establish a new style of play against a determined but limited Scottish side. With previous manager Martin Johnson’s reign often criticised for its forward-dominated style of rugby, interim coach Stuart Lancaster had free reign to create his own blueprint.

It seems from Saturday’s showing that he has gone down a similar route attributed to Premiership Champions Saracens. Often ignored by Johnson, there were 5 Sarries players in the match-day 22, with Chris Ashton making it a 6th from September onwards. Their influence told as England provided a Sarries-esque display, one of tough defence, strong set-piece, reliance on the kicking game and taking the very few chances that may present themselves.

So often in the last couple of years, Saracens have scored the crucial try through an interception, a charge-down or an inspired piece of play that breaks up 80 minutes of attrition. At Murrayfield it was to be no different, with fly-half Charlie Hodgson up quickly on his counterpart Dan Parks to force the charge-down that would prove the difference on a fresh Saturday night.

Another key facet of Sarries game is built around a strong defence, even when the opposition has more possession. 142 tackles compared to Scotland’s 62 yet still scoring 7 more points reflects how well England did in this department, and justifies the selection of Saracens players Mourtiz Botha and Brad Barritt, who were hardly chosen for their flair. A strong set piece is also a means by which the English Champions create a foundation from which to put them on the front foot. Stats of four out of four scrums and 9 out of 10 line-outs again seems to reflects a side that has the ability to do this.

This game plan may work for Saracens when playing in the Premiership, but will be much harder to transfer to the international stage with England. England quite simply don’t have the quality to blitz the forwards of France, Wales or Ireland, and that’s without even whispering the names of the southern hemisphere sides.

The key word in the modern game seems to be quick ball, more importantly so with England. So organised and practiced are defences that quick ball is the only way to gain the overlap necessary to trouble the opposition’s line. Looking at England’s midfield partnership of Owen Farrell and Barritt, there is very little creativity that sides like Australia, France and New Zealand can rely on when moving the ball through their backs.

As a consequence, Lancaster needs to change the ethos of the English game, one from where size matters in the forwards to one where dynamism is just as important at bulk. Forwards have to get to the ball quickly, clear out the opposition, ready for the scrum-half to distribute, and be prepared to this for 80 minutes. Four years is how long England have to adapt to this. Time is well and truly against them.