ROME — Scotland ended a run of nine defeats in the Six Nations by defeating Italy 36-20 at Stadio Olimpico Saturday.
The Scots hadn't won in the tournament since their last visit to Rome two years ago, and made a flying start to boost their confidence. John Barclay and John Hardie scored tries and captain Greg Laidlaw was almost perfect with his kicking as they led 17-3.
Italy grew as the match went on and rallied on several occasions, helped by Scotland losing two men to the sin-bin in the second half. Lock Marco Fuser's first try for the Azzurri and Kelly Haimona's extras lifted Italy to within six points with 17 minutes left.
With five minutes to go, Italy had a man advantage and was attacking near the Scotland 22 when the ball was spilled, Scotland counterattacked, and winger Tommy Seymour sealed the result with their third try.
Italy remained bottom of the table and again looking set to finish with the wooden spoon for the 11th time since 2000, with remaining games away in Ireland and Wales. Meanwhile, Scotland will be hoping to build on this result in its final two matches against France and Ireland.
For a second straight game, Scotland had to put up with a late withdrawal: Sean Maitland pulled out before the loss in Wales, then No. 8 David Denton withdrew here with a groin strain and was replaced by Ryan Wilson.
Even so, the Scots quickly replied to Haimona's early penalty with the first try. Stuart Hogg got between Joshua Furno and David Odiete and, although he was brought down, the Scotland fullback offloaded for Barclay in the corner.
Shortly after, fellow flanker Hardie managed to go over in the same corner.
Laidlaw converted both, added a penalty, and Scotland was away at 17-3 inside 26 minutes.
Hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini, making his first appearance for Italy since the Rugby World Cup, finished off great play between Odiete and Gonzalo Garcia and an offload from Sergio Parisse with a try in the left corner.
But Laidlaw, who kicked over 21 points, kept making the scoreboard tick over to keep the pressure on the hosts, who dominated ball and territory but ruined their momentum by losing two lineout throws and two scrum put-ins.
Adrift by 10 points, Italy missed two try chances when scrumhalf Edoardo Gori spilled Mattia Bellini's pass, then center Michele Campagnaro was stopped just a meter short of the line.
Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell was in the sin-bin when prop Martin Castrogiovanni surged and the Azzurri carried Fuser over the line.
But it was false hope for Italy, as another penalty from Laidlaw and a late Seymour try from a smart Hogg offload finally gave Scotland a taste of victory.
