5 THINGS WE LEARNED

NO CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

The ease with which the Italians tore through our defence, particularly in the first half, was embarrassing. Gaps opened up all over the place and there was a rash of missed tackles. For all our flair going forward, we need to learn to keep the door shut at the other end.

FINN FLATTERS TO DECEIVE

Is there a more infuriating player than Finn Russell? The Scotland fly-half certainly has a nice highlight reel on YouTube with all the flicks, dummies and offloads, but he was woeful yesterday in Rome. He gifted possession back to Italy on countless occasions with a string of aimless kicks. World class? Not on this evidence.

ITALY DESERVE THEIR PLACE

Tears streaming down their face as they stood shoulder to shoulder, belting out one of the most inspirational national anthems in the world, try telling the Italians that they are an irrelevance. Or that they should be booted out of the Six Nations because they can’t quite win a game. What utter nonsense. They were magnificent yesterday.

MENTAL PROBLEMS

The underdog card suits Scotland down to the ground, affording us the freedom to play off-the-cuff rugby. But when the boot’s on the other foot and we’re actually expected to win? Jeez. Yesterday’s display reeked of complacency, which must be addressed.

LAIDLAW STILL VITAL

After some magnificent performances in the autumn internationals, Ali Price looked like he had finally managed to wrestle the No 9 jersey away from Greig Laidlaw once and for all. Oh, how different the picture now looks. Even at the age of 32, Laidlaw is simply irreplaceable, as his heroics proved yesterday.