Not so much standing out individually but they have inherent understandings through playing together at Edinburgh and Glasgow. Even Redpath and Russell are club mates.
When you've got a Sarries flanker at 8, a Quin at 9, the Sale 10, the Bath (13 at) 12 and Chiefs 13 things have to be incredibly precise under more pressure. Anything less gets exposed.
You also look at our league table - Saints top, then Quins, then Bath, none of whom play remotely like England.
But to your, and Olyy's points, Scotland are better coached and have a couple of X factor players.