Danielli falls to the Italian defence.

By Duncan Bech, PA Sport, Rome

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Scottish rugby plunged to new depths at the Stadio Flaminio on Saturday afternoon as Italy all but condemned Matt Williams' men to the 2004 RBS 6 Nations wooden spoon.

"Terrible" was the word Williams used to describe the state of the Scottish game earlier this week and today's performance provided ample evidence that the Australian coach's assessment was accurate.

With tricky fixtures against France and Ireland to come, Scotland are now almost certain to be prop up the championship table come the end of March as they stare down the barrel of a clean sweep of defeats.

And while Italy played with passion and skill to relive memories of their first-ever Six Nations clash in 2000 when they also routed the Scots in Rome, they were assisted by a shoddy display from their opponents.

Scotland's lack of cutting edge behind the scrum proved their downfall once again as the stream of ball secured by the forwards was wasted criminally by a set of backs who lacked direction.

Winger Simon Webster crossed in the dying moments to register their only try of the afternoon - giving the scoreline some respectability - but that arrived only after Italy had already amassed an unassailable lead.

The Azzurri dominated the second half from start to finish following a finely-poised 40 minutes before the interval, with hooker Fabio Ongaro's opportunist try shortly after the break igniting his side.

There was a hint of bad luck over Ongaro's score but the Scots had only themselves to blame for what followed as they allowed Italy - who closed out the game in expert fashion - to assume full control.

Skipper Chris Paterson landed three penalties for the visitors but he was outshone by his opposite number Roland de Marigny who finished with 15 points courtesy of a sublime kicking display.

And it was de Marigny who drew first blood after his penalty crept over the crossbar from long range, although slick handling saw Scotland then threaten down the right until winger Simon Danielli was collared by Denis Dallan.

The Scots continued to press and were rewarded with a penalty which Paterson landed despite a crescendo of boos from the home fans, only for de Marigny to nudge his side ahead once again after the visitors had infringed in front of the posts.

Excellent work at the set-piece meant Scotland were winning plenty of ball but their backs were guilty of squandering the possession, with centre Brendan Laney the main culprit after he went for a drop goal when he had two unmarked men out on his right.

The home defence was looking solid as Scotland battered away to little effect but the Italians repeatedly found themselves on the wrong end of referee Nigel Whitehouse's whistle.

Laney threatened once Williams' men had dealt with a powerful thrust from Italy and Simon Taylor was in support to maintain the momentum until a hand in the ruck allowed Paterson to slot another three points.

And the Italians proved their own worst enemies once again as they strayed offside in a bid to halt a late Scottish flurry and Paterson kept his cool to nudge over the penalty, giving his side the lead for the first time.

But the first half action was not over as Italy still had time to launch one last attack which this time saw Scotland fall foul of Whitehouse, and de Marigny made no mistake to level the score.

The second half saw Scotland make the worst possible start after Italy hooker Ongaro leapt on the loose ball which had clipped Stuart Grimes' hands at a line-out and bounced over the hapless Scotsman's try-line line.

It was quick thinking from Ongaro which resulted in the try but there was a hint of misfortune about it, and the visiting fans were at least allowed some relief as de Marigny's conversion bounced off the left post.

The score had an instant effect on the Italians, who suddenly raised their game, and, with the crowd throwing their weight behind the Azzurri cause, the omens looked ominous for Scotland.

Italy piled forward in the last 20 minutes with all the rugby being played in Scotland's half and their endeavour paid off as the visitors' discipline crumbled, conceding a penalty which de Marigny potted.

De Marigny added another three points with two minutes to go and although Webster crossed in the dying seconds for Scotland, the game was over as Italy completed a famous victory.

Teams:

Italy: Canale, Mazzucato, Stoica, M. Dallan, D. Dallan, De Marigny, Griffen, Lo Cicero, Ongaro, Castrogiovanni, Dellape, Bortolami, De Rossi, Persico, Parisse.

Replacements: Bergamasco for Canale (75), Wakarua for M. Dallan (47), Festuccia for Ongaro (75), Orlando for Parisse (62).

Not Used: Perugini, Checchinato, Picone.

Tries: Ongaro.

Pens: De Marigny 5.

Scotland: Hinshelwood, Danielli, Philip, Laney, Webster, Paterson, Cusiter, Jacobsen, Bulloch, Douglas, Murray, Grimes, White, Hogg, Taylor.

Replacements: Lee for Danielli (75), Henderson for Laney (78), Blair for Cusiter (41), Kerr for Jacobsen (41), Hines for Grimes (66), Petrie for White (80).

Not Used: Russell.

Tries: Webster.

Pens: Paterson 3.

Att: 21,340

Ref: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales).