Scotland gained revenge on Saturday for last seasons Stadio Flaminio defeat when they prevailed 18-10 in Edinburgh in a match widely-touted as the battle to avoid the wooden spoon.

Chris Paterson kicked six penalties to secure Matt Williams first-ever championship win and leave Italy, for whom Andrea Masis try came far too late, rooted to the bottom of the table.

It might sound like a familiar tale for the Azzurri - but in fact Italy have avoided the wooden spoon in three of the five seasons they have competed in the championship.

John Kirwans side gave Ireland a severe test in the opening game of the tournament and, after an indifferent performance against Wales, they were much the better team against Scotland for an hour.

They failed to take advantage of their supremacy, however, missing kicks at goal in stark contrast to Patersons accuracy as their search for a first away win in the championship ended in disappointment.

Bortolami, Italys youngest-ever captain, said: We are definitely happy in this championship, much more so than when we first started in it.

I think everyone can see we are a better team these days and we now think we can play against anyone.

With John Kirwan coming in, he has helped us in our preparation - and we must now keep our progress going.

Bortolami, a highly-respected lock with Narbonne, nonetheless admits his side cannot allow matches to slip away from them as happened against Scotland.

The 24-year-old, whose absence from Italys decisive defeat against Wales in the last World Cup demonstrated his value to the side, said: We were very strong in the first half. Our forwards did very well, and we had Scotland in trouble.

We didnt kick our penalties, though, and that was a mistake. We should have been ahead at half-time, not behind.

Scotland were much better in the second half and put us under a lot of pressure. Our forwards were very good in the first half - but after that it was more even.

But a sign of Italys sense of comfort in the RBS 6 Nations comes when the captain can smile when asked about their next two games - England at Twickenham and France in Rome.

Bortolami, who won the first of his 34 caps against Namibia in 2001, said: Of course, we are looking forward to them!

It is exciting for Italian players to be playing England and France. We will be ready.