KEY POINTS:
The bigger the star, the more important the fine detail. Someone bothered to calculate that England's little first five-eighth Jonny Wilkinson, whose CV has a front cover stamped "World Cup hero", had been absent from the England colours for 1167 days.
What a return it proved to be
with a rich haul, even though he was hardly making history by running amok against Scotland.
The sponsor's sign that dominates the front of the English jerseys is oxygen related, and Wilkinson breathed life back into their quest to retain the Webb Ellis trophy this year. Winning the World Cup just got a little bit harder for everyone else.
The last time Wilkinson played for England, he landed the drop goal which sunk Australia in the World Cup final in Sydney, a blow delivered on the back of a charge by Martin Johnson, the since-departed captain and then-fulcrum for the champions.
Until Wilkinson returned against Scotland at Twickenham three days ago, injuries had prevented him playing for England since the Sydney triumph, and he had managed just a few other matches.
During Wilkinson's absence, England lost more than half of their games.
They had fallen to the point that World Cup calculations were being conducted without mention of the champions.
That has suddenly changed, even though Wilkinson ran a sword through a Scotland side that specialises in falling on its own.
England, without Wilkinson and under previous coach Andy Robinson, were facing embarrassment at this year's World Cup.
They were rudderless, and while it is too early to suggest they are sailing towards a successful defence of the trophy, they have, in the 27-year-old Wilkinson, a man who knows what a tiller looks like.
It is almost mandatory in this part of the world to scoff at English rugby players and see them as cumbersome oafs, although their forwards aren't quite as bad.
Yet Wilkinson, you suspect, actually draws affection, not only for his infectious bravery and skill, but because he still has a humble dedication to his craft in a world that has delivered him vast sums of money and would gladly throw a slice of David Beckham-type mania through his door.
The blinkers in Jonny's world were never removed. When he returned to the English squad, he even brought along his old kicking coach Dave Aldred, even though Aldred is no longer in the national team set-up.
"I live a lot of my life for this," he said of his return, and he played like it.
He went about his business with a straight face and a straight boot. When Scotland levelled, Wilkinson banged over a drop goal within seconds and trotted back to his position with nary a flicker across the face. It was a pleasure to watch in an age when sports stars ham it up on the thinnest excuse.
There was, rightfully, horror and humour directed at the television match official who, clearly suffering from brain fade, awarded Wilkinson a try when his feet were halfway to Dundee by the time he planted the ball.
Never mind. It was the way Wilkinson flung himself past the Scottish defence after a Harry Ellis waltz that would have warmed English hearts, and caused a flutter in those of their World Cup opponents.
Wilkinson may have been out, but he is back.
Having clinically delivered 27 points via all four scoring methods and also made a point, he left in a stoic manner to be hugged on the sideline by new England coach Brian Ashton, who by modern standards looks more school caretaker than test coach.
Ashton is relying on the old guard and the even older England formula of dogged, powerful forwards, and backs of a similar ilk with a quota that might allow one dazzler on the outsides. Even here, the world champions have not moved on, bringing winger Jason Robinson out of retirement.
The two men placed on either side of Wilkinson, Ellis and Andy Farrell, drew just as much attention as the famous No 10. Ellis had a brilliant game, but he will face much tougher defence around the rucks than Scotland provided.
Former British league captain Farrell, making his England debut after a series of injuries, won't threaten anybody with pace and agility at inside centre. The ex-league loose forward played like one, and to some good effect including at first receiver, although the sixth-tackle kicking he employed in his former code was ignored.
There is a security to life in the England rugby camp that Farrell might enjoy. International league is a precarious business, and during a mid-1990s tour here the British captain was horrified to find that a chunk of his squad was recalled to save a few pennies. Farrell was safe, of course, but it remains to be seen if he has a secure test rugby future. Quicker opponents might find him out.
Despite the cutting runs by Ellis, Wilkinson was the star at Twickenham, driving England on with wholehearted precision. He finally offered the world champions hope, although English optimism is rightfully guarded.
Wilkinson went missing on attack in the World Cup final and he never had the inventiveness of Stephen Larkham nor the range of Dan Carter. But England's best game, a grinding system based on Wilkinson-type percentages, has never been about brilliance.
Against Scotland, Wilkinson showed the odd deft touch with the ball, about all that an English first-five needs to. He was also there, boots and all, making tackles on Scottish forwards with the bravery of old.
England are rediscovering their bulldog spirit.
The World Cup, where minnows abound, will be a more interesting place if it includes a credible English defence of their hard-won crown.
The admirable Wilkinson remains their jewel.
