Scotland won their first RBS 6 Nations match in style with a well worked victory over Italy in front of a 51,039 crowd at Murrayfield.
Chris Paterson gave the Scots the early lead with two penalties and Phil Godman added a third before man of the match Simon Danielli scored the first try of the game (converted by Godman) which meant the hosts went in 16-3 up at the interval.
Scotland came out flying in the second half playing a much more open and attacking game and while the visitors got three points from a kick it was to be their last as Scott Gray added Scotland’s second try before Chris Paterson added two more penalties to seal the victory.
Paterson, on as a blood replacement for fly-half Phil Godman, opened the scoring with a penalty from his first touch of the ball to give the Scots the early advantage.
Powerful play from Scotland’s front row gained the home side good ground and, following an Italian infringement at the ruck (hands in) just outside their 22, Scotland’s top point scorer Paterson made no mistake and put the Scots six points up.
Immediately after Paterson’s second successful kick, Phil Godman returned to the field and normal service resumed.
Scotland were then given a stark warning when a Hugo Southwell pass was intercepted just outside Scotland’s 22 but the chasing Simon Danielli caught the Italian just in time to make the try saving tackle and save Scotland’s blushes – however the resulting play saw number 8 Sergio Parisse slot a drop goal for Italy’s first score.
Scotland earned a chance to regain the six point advantage when Italy were penalised for holding on but Phil Godman, restored to kicking duties, could not find the target.
Godman was offered the chance to make amends shortly after when Italy gave away their fifth penalty of the game teeing up the fly-half in front of the posts on the 22 metre line.
Godman made no mistake with his second effort of the match, 9-3.
It was then that Scotland scored their first try of the afternoon.

Scotland's Simon Danielli beats Italy's Matteo Pratichetti before scoring the opening try
A line out on the half-way line was spun wide and looked destined for the far side winger but inside-centre Graeme Morrison offered the ball back inside to Simon Danielli [PICTURED] who belted off his wing to burst through the gap.
The winger had only the winger to beat and rounded him with a magnificent arced run to score a fantastic training ground move in between the posts allowing Godman to slot the kick with ease, 16-3.
Scottish hands in the ruck offered Italy a kicking opportunity from the RBS paint on the half-way line but, while Andrea Marcato’s kick had the distance, it was just wide of the upright.
Half time: 16-3
Scotland started the second half unchanged and were immediately on the front foot. An inch perfect Godman kick earned Scotland the line-out on the five metre line but they failed to capitalise on the good field position.
Seven minutes into the second half fans’ favourite Chris Paterson returned to the field in place of full-back Southwell. Italy also opted to make a change at this time with Giulio Rubini replacing Mercato as the opposing 15.
A Scottish infringement for sealing off offered Italy a kicking opportunity well within range but the ambitious Italians kicked for possession deep in the Scottish 22 and repeated phase play had the Scots on the back foot but a Scottish turnover ended the nervy attack and was kicked safely into touch.
An injury to hooker Ross Ford forced Scotland’s next swap, with Dougie Hall taking to the field 14 minutes into the second half.
Moments later Italy notched up their second score of the afternoon as Scotland were penalised for failing to clear the tackle area. Luke McLean made the kick, 16-6.
Scotland then made their third replacement after 55 minutes with Glasgow Warriors’ latest addition, Chris Cusiter, coming on for Mike Blair at scrum-half, while Scott Gray came on for John Barclay at open-side flanker.
Italy took the opportunity to make major changes as Pablo Canavosio, Carlo Del Fava, Franco Sbaraglini and Carlos Nieto came on for Paul Griffin, Santiago Delape and Leonardo Ghiraldini and Martin Castrogiovanni.
Soon after Scotland had the crowd on their feet as a Danielli break put Thom Evans through.


Evans stepped through the tackles of the oncoming Italians to be brought down a m looks to the referee before celebrating his first try for Scotlandetre from the try line but the winger was well aware of his supporting man and offered a superb reverse offload off the deck to Scott Gray who dotted down a magnificent try just left of the upright.
Paterson, restored to kicking duties, added the extras from close range to make it 23-6 after 64 minutes.
Just moments later the crowd were on their feet again as Danielli burst down the right wing but he was halted right on the line following a superb try-line tackle from Italian fly-half Luke McLean.
Scotland were then forced to make and array of front-row replacements in what had been a very physical encounter.
Alasdair Dickinson replaced Jacobsen however his rest was short lived as he returned to the field for Euan Murray. Murray was then replaced by Kelly brown which mean that, without any remaining front-row players on the bench scrums were to be uncontested for the final 17 minutes of the match.


Scotland added more points to the board as Paterson slotted is fourth kick of the afternoon before the buoyant Scots looked certain to score a third try after Dickinson made an superb break down the right before offloading off the deck to the supporting Cusiter [pictured] deep in the Italy 22 but was tackled just short of the line and the ball spilled out from the tackle.
Italy then made their final change of the game as Josh Sole replaced second-row Marco Bortolami.
Scotland continued to entertain the crowd with fantastic passages of attacking rugby and as large sections of the crowd rose to their feet as chants of ‘Scotland’ belted out from the home support before a kick and chase forced the defending Italian to kick the ball into touch to end the game.
After the game Scotland head coach, Frank Hadden, said: "A roll always starts with one win and it was important that we got that win here today.
"It’s always difficult to play against Italy due to their power up front. They’re a very robust and physical side.
"Our defence was always in control, conceding only one line break, which was from a set piece right at the end. We were much more decisive in defence and attack this week.
"A key area for us was the scrum. It was a massive performance from us there.
"We have a shed load of injuries the most significant being Allan Jacobsen, Max Evans and Alastair Kellock."
Captain Mike Blair added: "Rather than looking at results, we’ve been looking at our performances. It was great to defend so effectively for such a long period of time."
Scotland next face Ireland at Murrayfield on Saturday 14 March (kick-off 3pm).
Man of the match: Simon Danielli
Attendance: 51039
Scotland team v Italy, Murrayfield 28 January (kick-off 3pm)
15. Hugo Southwell
14. Simon Danielli
13. Max Evans
12. Graeme Morrison
11. Thom Evans
10. Phil Godman
9. Mike Blair CAPTAIN
1. Allan Jacobsen
2. Ross Ford
3. Euan Murray
4. Jason White
5. Alastair Kellock
6. Alasdair Strokosch
8. Simon Taylor
7. John Barclay
Replacements:
16. Dougie Hall on for Ford, 53’
17. Alasdair Dickinson on Jacobsen (blood sub) 64’, on for Murray 65’
18. Kelly Brown on for Jacobsen 71’
19. Scott Gray on for Barclay 58’
20. Chris Cusiter on for Blair, 55’
21. Chris Paterson on for Godman, 4’ (blood sub), on for Southwell, 46’
22. Nick de Luca
Italy: Andrea Marcato; Mirco Bergamasco, Gonzalo Garcia, Matteo Pratichetti; Luke McLean, Paul Griffin; Salvatore Perugini, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Martin Castrogiovanni, Santiago Dellape, Marco Bortolami, Allesandro Zanni, Mauro Bergamasco, Sergio Parisse CAPTAIN
Substitutes: Franco Sbaraglini, Carlos Nieto, Carlo Del Fava, Josh Sole, Pablo Canavosio, Andrea Bacchetti, Giulio Rubini

This article was posted on 28-Feb-2009, 20:21 by Hugh Barrow.