Quade Cooper of Australia peers over the scrum during the QBE International match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on November 2, 2013 in London, England.
(November 1, 2013 - Source: Warren Little/Getty Images Europe)
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England claim spirited win
England launched a year described by head coach Stuart Lancaster as "defining" with a spirited 20-13 victory over Australia in their opening QBE International at Twickenham.
Marland Yarde of England tussles with Adam Ashley-Cooper of Australia during the QBE International match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on November 2, 2013 in London, England.
(November 1, 2013 - Source: Tom Shaw/Getty Images Europe)
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Tevita Kuridrani of Australia evades a tackled by Joel Tomkins of England during the QBE International match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on November 2, 2013 in London, England.
(November 1, 2013 - Source: Warren Little/Getty Images Europe)
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Tries from Chris Robshaw - his first in 18 Test appearances - and Owen Farrell overcame a 13-6 interval deficit to dominate the second half of an ugly match.
Farrell endured a mixed afternoon from the kicking tee, missing three of his seven shots at goal, but he recovered well, using his wits to produce the match-winning touch down in the 58th minute.
England were poor in the first half as they failed to capitalise on a dominant scrum and lost their way alarmingly in the third quarter.
While they were one dimensional, Australia were far sharper in attack and infinitely more comfortable on the ball, possessing the two best players on the pitch in Quade Cooper and Israel Folau.
Centre Matt Toomua scored the simplest of tries for the Wallabies - Billy Twelvetrees was at fault because of a feeble tackle - while Cooper expertly directed play.
But once an error-ridden 10-minute spell that opened the second half had been negotiated, England finally began playing with conviction against their 2015 World Cup group rivals.
Australia still remained dangerous but with Robshaw and Farrell crossing and Cooper missing two penalties, the Cook Cup slipped from their grasp.
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Showing character and nous, England closed out the match to retain third place in the world rankings.
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James Horwill of Australia catches the ball during the QBE International match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on November 2, 2013 in London, England.
(November 1, 2013 - Source: Tom Shaw/Getty Images Europe)
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Courtney Lawes of England wins a lineout during the QBE International match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on November 2, 2013 in London, England.
(November 1, 2013 - Source: Tom Shaw/Getty Images Europe)
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Fortunate England see off Wallabies
Two second-half tries from Chris Robshaw and Owen Farrell gave England a peculiar 20-13 victory over Australia at Twickenham.
Cagey in the first half, a combination of a powerful scrum and extreme fortune reversed the tide after the break thanks to England's two tries.
The optimist's view will highlight that England won whilst playing poorly, an eighth win in their last nine matches as Stuart Lancaster picked up his 13th win in 20 matches as England coach. Yet Lancaster is England's harshest critic, and he will know that they have plenty to work on.
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Joel Tomkins of England is tackled during the QBE International match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on November 2, 2013 in London, England.
(November 1, 2013 - Source: Tom Shaw/Getty Images Europe)
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Scott Fardy of Australia is challenged by Lee Dickson of England during the QBE International match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on November 2, 2013 in London, England.
(November 1, 2013 - Source: David Cannon/Getty Images Europe)
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Man of the Match: He may have been lucky in the build-up to Robshaw's try, but Mike Brown: was influential for England at the back. Credit to Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Moment of the Match: It has to be Owen Farrell's try, for putting the hosts into a lead that Australia couldn't chase down.
Villain of the Match: The minor block from Dylan Hartley was clearly obstructive. When has not enough obstruction been a thing?
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Will Genia of Australia has his clearance kick charged down leading to an England try during the QBE International match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on November 2, 2013 in London, England.
(November 1, 2013 - Source: Tom Shaw/Getty Images Europe)
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Joe Launchbury of England is tackled by Quade Cooper of Australia during the QBE International match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on November 2, 2013 in London, England.
(November 1, 2013 - Source: Warren Little/Getty Images Europe)
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Will Genia of Australia has his clearance kick charged down during the QBE International match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on November 2, 2013 in London, England.
(November 1, 2013 - Source: David Cannon/Getty Images Europe)
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Tom Wood of England and James Slipper of Australia compete for the ball during the QBE International match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on November 2, 2013 in London, England.
(November 1, 2013 - Source: Warren Little/Getty Images Europe)
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Next Test:
Nov 9th
Italy v Australia
England v Argentina
also:
Scotland v Japan
Wales v S.Africa
Ireland v Samoa
France v New Zealand
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