Williams had made clear from the outset, when he succeeded Ian McGeechan after the World Cup, that turning around Scotlands fortunes was not going to happen with a click of his fingers.

But the patience in some quarters was beginning to wear thin, particularly after his development squad suffered a 41-5 defeat to Queensland in Brisbane last weekend.

The players were all too aware in the build-up to this game just how important victory was for morale and momentum heading into Fridays Test against Samoa in Wellington - and, although it was far from an error-free display, they duly delivered.

Scrum-half Graeme Beveridge sparked Scotland into life with the first try after 24 minutes, Hugo Southwell squeezed over in the corner five minutes later and Scotland then ran away to victory with second-half scores from Scott Gray, Scott McLeod, debutant Paul Dearlove and Andy Hall.

Dan Parks, Scotlands Australian-born fly-half, produced a faultless kicking display and finished with 18 points from two penalties and six conversions.

NSW Country put up a spirited display, helped by former Australia Test winger Scott Staniforth and ACT Brumbies number eight Scott Fava, but could only muster a try for Daniel Drew and five points from Leith Cooper.