Despite dominating for much of the game, Scottish hopes had been undermined again by poor goalkicking when Townsend intervened nine minutes from time to intercept a Luca Martin pass and sprint home from 30 metres.

Brendan Laney finished Italy off three minutes from time, racing in from 30m and converting his own try for a personal haul of 24 points.

George Graham entered the fray just past the hour, by which time Taylor had also wasted an attacking chance, failing to release the ball on impact.

However, Laney did put them in front again with a 20m shot on target after more home misdemeanours.

The Kiwi slipped as he attempted an unlikely sixth success from halfway, but the game was turned on its head by a piece of Townsend opportunism nine minutes from time.

Italy were trying to counter when Northampton’s Luca Martin attempted a long pass to the left wing. Townsend, so often the catalyst for Scottish victories in the past, read the move and plucked it out of the air.

Scottish relief was obvious as he raced under the posts, Laney extending the lead to match-winning proportions with the easiest of conversions.

The Kiwi’s next piece of the action was a superb run to the line after Murray had stolen possession from an Italian line-out.

With men out wide, James McLaren found Laney and as the home defence stood off waiting for an inside pass to Paterson, the full-back hit top speed to race home. In keeping with his afternoon, Laney landed the conversion.

Goalkicking problems apart, it capped a fine Scottish performance, although there will be a worry over Tom Smith’s fitness as limped through stoppage time with what looked like a knee problem.