The opening exchanges were mainly played out in the air, rather than on the turf.
Since last year’s laws tweak, which outlawed ‘escort runners’ and made it easier for chasing players to contest kicks, there has been a higher premium on the ability to claim high balls.
England full-back Freddie Steward, whose selection owed a lot to his reliability in that regard, initially struggled to stamp his authority in the backfield, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Potter climbing high to force errors and regain possession.
A regulation catch from Steward in the 19th minute prompted ironic cheers from the crowd.
But if Steward took time to get his eye in, England have other aerial specialists, and wing Tom Roebuck outjumped Suaalii to claim Mitchell’s box-kick before slipping the ball to Sam Underhill on his return to earth.
Underhill sensibly passed straight on to fellow back row Ben Earl, who – backed by coach Steve Borthwick to start a Test at centre in the future – showed his pace as he cantered in under the sticks to add to George Ford’s earlier penalty and make it 10-0.
Tommy Freeman, who is midway through his own switch to midfield from the wing, failed to make the most of England’s best opportunity up until that point, holding on to the ball and taking possession as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso revved up on his shoulder.
Australia, who recovered from 12 points down to win this fixture last autumn and clambered back from 22 points adrift to beat world champions South Africa in August, hung tough under pressure, however.
Scrum-half Jake Gordon did superbly to wrap up Earl over the line as the back row bullocked across the whitewash once again.
And then the visitors landed a superb counter-punch try.
Backing Australia up on to their own line, it seemed England were poised to further extend their lead.
But Wimbledon-born Wallabies wing Potter, who won the Premiership title under Borthwick during their time at Leicester, easily read Fraser Dingwall’s intention to throw a mis-pass to Steward, stepped into the line, plucked the ball out of the air and scooted upfield for an intercept try.
With the gap cut to three points, Australia found a new physical edge.
Tane Edmed dumped Dingwall, Taniela Tupou rattled Jamie George and Suaalii scythed down Earl in full flight.
The Wallabies were down on the scoreboard but headed into half-time on the up after a rearguard action had kept them within touching distance of the hosts.
