Simon Danielli emerged as Scotland's Six Nations wooden spoon hero as he set up a face-saving triumph over the land of his ancestors on Saturday as the Scots beat Italy 26-6 at Murrayfield.

Danielli's pace and power made sure the Italians are now odds on to end up with the booby prize.

The winger, who was scoring his first try in five years, delivered a massive blow by pouncing for a brilliant try - then set up the clincher for Scott Gray.

Now Scotland can look ahead with new-found confidence to their final two tussles against Ireland and England.

Italy created the first clear-cut chance when Gonzalo Canale sent a neat chip into the danger zone.

He looked destined to reach it first - only to slip on the greasy surface at the crucial moment.

Scotland repelled the immediate threat, but the initiative was handed back to the visitors through a loose clearance by Hugo Southwell.

Both sides were forced to make an injury change at the same time.

Italy's Gonzalo Garcia was led off with a head knock, while Phil Godman left the fray with a cut above his eye.

Godman's replacement Chris Paterson's first task was to aim for goal with a 40-metre penalty, and despite a lack of preparation time, he put the Scots in front.

The Italians replied in positive fashion with Canale shrugging off a series of challenges to get within 10 metres of the try-line. And only a frantic tackle by lock Al Strokosch kept him out.

Paterson was handed another opportunity following a ruck offence, and he obliged again to double the Scottish tally before Godman returned to the battle.

A superb Luke McLean kick set up the next Italian raid, with Ross Ford's squint throw placing even more pressure on the home outfit.

But they were reprieved when Italy's front row were penalised at the ensuing scrum.

Alarm bells were ringing in the home defence two minutes later when Alessandro Zanni snapped up an interception and galloped into the 22 metres area.

He couldn't make it to the line, but did enough to lay the foundations for skipper Sergio Parisse to clip over a drop-goal.

Godman's drop-goal effort was blocked, though a penalty had already been awarded for a deliberate knock-on.

And Godman stepped up to restore Scotland's six-point cushion from dead in front.

Even better was to come for the home supporters five minutes before half-time when Danielli snatched a marvellous try.

He came off the wing in the wake of a line-out and weaved his way past four markers from 30 metres out before giving Godman a formality of a conversion.

The Italians looked much more urgent after the restart, but their promising work was spoiled by a spate of basic handling errors.

Italy displayed a positive attitude by spurning two goal kick opportunities in quick succession.

But their gamble failed to pay off as the Scots defence knocked them back at every turn.

They returned to plan A with the next penalty, and McLean obliged to narrow the leeway in the 55th minute.

Then came the moment that sealed the glory for Scotland - with Danielli again in the spotlight.

He inflicted the initial damage with a lethal sidestep before freeing fellow winger Thom Evans.

Evans looked certain to score until he was hauled down a pace short of the line, however he had the presence of mind to pop it up for Gray to plunge over.

And Paterson's wide angled conversion left the Italians with a mission impossible.

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