Key to the victory was a much-improved performance at the set-piece with Scotland stealing the first four Italian lineouts and more than holding their own at the scrums.

And a relieved Robinson revealed their improved performance came down to the hard work on the training field in midweek following last week’s 22-16 defeat to England.

He said: “That's what we're here for, to win games of rugby - I thought we got our just rewards today from our endeavour to move our game forward.

“I thought Richie Gray on the opposition ball was fantastic.

“Al Kellock, said to me he didn't call one lineout for Richie because he was winning too much on the opposition ball.

"But that's down to homework. The guys have put a lot of work in.

"We changed the hit which was important and led to the eight scrummaging together.

"I've been seeing improvements throughout the championship."