Chris Paterson was the hero by converting six out of six penalties to secure an 18-10 victory over Italy in Williams eighth game in the tournament.

Williams enthused: As Moses said at the parting of the Red Sea  that will have given the team a lot of confidence.

We just needed a win to get that confidence and just to score more points than our opponents. The players deserve great credit for this.

The victory was all the more satisfying for Williams, especially after the criticism he and his players have had to endure after a number of disappointing displays.

The match was cruelly billed as the wooden spoon decider and it was easy to see why in an error-strewn game which brought very little quality and just one late Italian try.

But under-pressure Australian Williams continued: I am delighted to win especially with the players working so hard before and during the game in terms of tactics.

It was a battle but its also special because the guys have been under a lot of pressure this week with some of the criticism.

They stood up to that today and we were good all over the field, especially in the kicking.

We have come under a fair bit of criticism and the only way you can answer that as a coach is through the action of players.

We have started to do those aspects - and tactics - very well. We were under so much pressure and you could see how nervous they were.

But (captain) Gordon Bulloch and Chris (Paterson) deserve great credit for showing the leadership on the pitch. I am delighted for everybody.