England slumped to an 18-9 defeat in their autumn opener against Australia at Twickenham despite the best efforts of Jonny Wilkinson.

Wilkinson, playing his first Test since March last year, kicked two penalties and a drop-goal and was at his ferocious best in defence.

But Martin Johnson's side lacked imagination and were undone by tries from Will Genia and Adam Ashley-Cooper and eight points from the boot of Matt Giteau, with Australia showing far greater purpose in attack.

Wilkinson was immediately back into the groove, slotting England into a third-minute lead with a drop-goal after a well-executed line-out move. Two powerful runs from Dan Hipkiss kept England on the front foot, before Wallaby winger Peter Hynes was penalised for a dangerous tackle on Ugo Monye - and Wilkinson adopted his familiar pose to drill the penalty.

While Wilkinson was running the show with ball in hand, England were also winning the vital breakdown battle thanks to an inspired performance from Lewis Moody - and a bone-shuddering, highly-disciplined defensive display was keeping Australia in check.

Australia struggled to cope with England's ferocity in contact, and it was only a misjudgement from Matt Banahan that afforded the Wallabies their only attacking platform of the first half.

The giant England winger thought a diagonal kick from Giteau had bounced into touch but the line-out went to Australia, and in typically ruthless fashion, the Wallabies capitalised. The ball was spread wide, and Australian scrum-half Genia stole around the fringes of a ruck to score his first Test try from close range.

Wilkinson kicked another penalty before the break, but at the start of the second half England's defence was tested immediately as Australia built up a head of steam, which resulted in a successful Giteau penalty attempt. Another three points from Giteau nudged Australia into the lead for the first time with 20 minutes remaining.

The introduction of James Haskell, Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Paul Hodgson off the bench brought a fresh spark to England's attack.

But they did not score a point in the second half, and Australia wrapped up the first leg of a potential Grand Slam when Ashley-Cooper drove over in the corner 10 minutes from time. Giteau's conversion pushed the Wallabies two scores clear and heaped more pressure on Johnson's shoulders.