Fly-half Blair - younger brother of Edinburgh duo Mike and David - went over 13 minutes from time with a try worthy of winning any game after Italy had rallied to take at 16-13 lead.

Prop Nicky Little and Dougie Fife also crossed for the Scots while Edoardo Gori grabbed Italy's only try of the game early in the second half.

Both teams had lost their opening two fixtures, but Scotland took the lead when Little barrelled his way over after the visitors secured lineout possession. Oliver Grove was off target with the conversion.

Tommaso Iannone kept the hosts in touch with two penalties but impressive Currie winger Dougie Fife extended the lead with the visitor's second try and Groves finally landed a penalty just before half time for a 13-6 advantage.

The game was turned on its head after the break when Italian scrum-half Gori ran in under the posts with Iannone adding the extras to bring the game all square before Iannone's third penalty gave the hosts a slim lead.

However, Scotland refused to be flustered and coach Eamon John shifted Blair to outside centre to accommodate replacement Matthew Scott.

And Blair would exploit that extra space when he showed some neat footwork before turning on the gas to touch down with no Italian defender able to get anywhere near him.