For me, this was their finest Six Nations win

COULD have beaten England. Should have beaten France, finally did the business against Scotland Italy took the major scalp that this particular group of players needs and the rugby community throughout Italy have craved for so long. Italian rugby is well and truly on the march and that can only be good for the game.

Joyously, there was a 70,000-capacity crowd at the Olympic Stadium to witness what I would rank as Italy's finest ever Championship win and I have reported on all 14 of them including the last time they won in Rome, 11 years ago against Ireland.

Italian rugby fans have made patience into a virtue but now their prayers have been answered and the Stadio Olympico must become a citadel for the national team. It needs to become a bloody difficult place to win for any side under any circumstances.

After cruelly being denied that win over France two weeks ago, expectations were high yesterday and ticket sales went through the roof, and that's before you take into account a 15,000-strong Tartan Army. Italy have respect but no hang-ups over Scotland, they often go very well, and there was something in the air.

Italy had to deliver, at the very least a performance and ideally a win, and at 22-10 down approaching the half hour it wasn't looking promising against a fired-up Scotland who started as if the Sevens season had arrived a month early.

But this Italian team, the class of 24, are proving a resilient bunch and their fitness levels are unrecognisable from tournaments past. They don't fade away and go quietly in the second half anymore. They fight to the bitter end. Even against Ireland in Dublin when they were outclassed they kept the score respectable and their dignity intact.