John Kirwan's Azzurri side completed a 20-14 victory at the Stadio Flaminio, leaving Scotland hot favourites to take the wooden spoon in this year's championships.

But despite the demoralising defeat, Williams said: "A team has to learn how to travel.

"Nerves can be positive at Murrayfield but you have to learn how to deal with them on the road. Its a process these young lads must learn. It was the first time in Rome for some of them.

You cant put old heads on young shoulders. The ability to handle these occasions will come.

Skipper Chris Paterson was more critical of the performance and added: We competed well in first half, but didnt capitalise on the chances that we made.

"It looked like being 9-6 at half time - and that would have been great - but they kicked a late penalty to draw level.

Then they scored their try and that was the killer. We still had plenty of time left to do something but it gave huge impetus to the Italians. I told the guys we were still in it but then the game began to slip away from us.

Scotland were robust in defence but that was probably the only positive to take from a disappointing afternoon and Paterson, who kicked nine points, made no effort to conceal his sides shortcomings.

Our kicking out of hand was poor. Kicking is a massive part of the game. We had the wind in the first half but made some bad decisions. Our execution was often bad. We lack the cohesion and penetration. Our go-forward simply isnt good enough, he said.