Wilkinson's return fails to inspire stodgy England

LONDON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - When Jonny Wilkinson landed a drop goal after three minutes on Saturday the Twickenham crowd could have been forgiven for sitting back and thinking that, finally, all was well again with England.

Playing a home November international for the first time since before his last-gasp drop goal against the Wallabies won the 2003 World Cup, Wilkinson soon added a penalty as England got off to a promising start that was all the more impressive for the make-do nature of the side.

However, as the game wore on, it became clear that the old problems remained. Another Wilkinson penalty had England 9-5 ahead at halftime but as an attacking force they barely existed.

It was even worse in the second half as, on the few occasions they had any possession, progress was ponderous in the extreme as they eventually fell to an 18-9 defeat.

Australia captain Rocky Elsom said afterwards that he always felt his side would keep the hosts at bay and, barring a couple of speculative up and unders, England never looked like fashioning a try.

By contrast, an Australian team who had lost six of their last seven games overcame an early 6-0 penalty count against them to go on to create half a dozen good try-scoring opportunities, taking two of them through scrumhalf Will Genia and fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper, who also scored in the Wallabies' win at Twickenham a year ago.

Only four England starters survived from that match as Martin Johnson was faced with an unprecedented injury list but the manager said that "did not excuse some things".

"We believe these guys are good enough to play in test matches. Australia had been through the Tri-Nations and played a Test last weekend, we haven't," he said.

"That showed a bit at the end. They were that little bit slicker and more used to the test match pace than we were."

THUNDEROUS TACKLING

Johnson went through the usual routine of promising improvement for next week's game against Argentina and the following clash with New Zealand but there was precious little on show to indicate anything other than three defeats to match those suffered at the hands of the Tri-Nations sides a year ago.

England's lack of creativity and cutting edge, a problem that has dogged them for years, could open the way for Mathew Tait to return after the talented back was yet again deemed surplus to requirements this week.

Inside centre Shane Geraghty looked lively but Australia were wise to most of his moves, while Wilkinson's most notable contribution apart from his goalkicking was another afternoon of thunderous tackling.

While England look to find some form against the Pumas, Australia take on Ireland in the second leg of a potential grand slam.

"Sooner or later after being knocked down you have got to get up and hopefully we can create a winning habit now," said coach Robbie Deans.

"We had a sense that second half was coming but haven't shown a lot of patience and belief in recent times. This time the guys showed a lot of courage, worked hard and used a bit of nous.

"England threw everything at us. They tried width, the short route and also tried to turn us but the boys stood up really well.

"Playing Ireland at Croke Park next weekend will be challenging but it's a great opportunity for us to push on." (Editing by Sonia Oxley; To comment on this story: sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)