Scotland had a back row of "Killer Bs" but England had a back division of frustrated Fs who waited forlornly for an opportunity. England, tryless again at Murrayfield, had Toby Flood, Riki Flutey and Ben Foden in harness for most of the second half but no one could give them quick ball.

England remain stuck between ambition behind and plodding up front and only one threequarter, Mathew Tait, has scored a try in this Six Nations. They could not be accused of a strait-jacketed approach on Saturday. It was just that on the few occasions they did manage to get in behind the defence they either failed to secure the ball at the breakdown or had their possession slowed down so effectively that they had no opportunity of creating mismatches out wide.

England's back row was chosen for power and size rather than speed and they struggled to take play through phases, unlike Scotland, whose back row kept them on the front foot.

"We put Scotland under some pressure but it has to be continuous if the backs are to get on to the front foot and attack," said Flutey, whose influence this Six Nations has been marginal compared with his leading role last year. "On the occasions we did get quick ball, we had them back-tracking and created some space."

England's play was stop-start because they laboured to recycle the ball. Their back division too often lacked alignment and lacks the ability to cut teams open from set pieces. Apart from one flurry in the first half, when forwards combined in open play, they struggled to offload in the tackle.

"If we take play through four phases, we can break teams and work spaces for the backs," said Flutey. "We try to play with pace but the tackle area always comes down to the interpretations of the referee and there was a lot of whistle on Saturday. We have to be more clinical in and around the breakdown area."

Flood had two chances to win the game in the dying minutes but a long-range penalty fell short and a drop-goal attempt was charged down.

"I knew the penalty would not have the legs as soon as I kicked it," said Flood. "The outside-half jersey is the last thing on my mind because I am so disappointed at the result. We played some good stuff, keeping the ball in hand, and it is not doom and gloom, merely frustration."

Foden replaced Delon Armitage at full-back early in the second half. "We did not get the result we wanted but we have something to take to France," he said. "We just have to take opportunities when they come."

Scotland had the Killer Bs; England had only drones.