Williams hails victorious Scots

Scotland coach Matt Williams heaped praise on his players for giving him his first taste of success in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield today.

Chris Paterson was the hero by converting six out of six penalties to secure an 18-10 victory over Italy in Williams’ eighth game in the tournament.

Williams enthused: “As Moses said at the parting of the Red Sea – that will have given the team a lot of confidence.

“We just needed a win to get that confidence and just to score more points than our opponents. The players deserve great credit for this.”

The victory was all the more satisfying for Williams, especially after the criticism he and his players have had to endure after a number of disappointing displays.

The match was cruelly billed as the wooden spoon decider and it was easy to see why in an error-strewn game which brought very little quality and just one late Italian try.

But under-pressure Australian Williams continued: “I am delighted to win especially with the players working so hard before and during the game in terms of tactics.

“It was a battle but it’s also special because the guys have been under a lot of pressure this week with some of the criticism.

“They stood up to that today and we were good all over the field, especially in the kicking.

“We have come under a fair bit of criticism and the only way you can answer that as a coach is through the action of players.

“We have started to do those aspects – and tactics – very well. We were under so much pressure and you could see how nervous they were.

“But (captain) Gordon Bulloch and Chris (Paterson) deserve great credit for showing the leadership on the pitch. I am delighted for everybody.”

Italy coach John Kirwan admitted that the difference between the sides was their kicking.

While Paterson enjoyed six successful penalties out of six, Roland de Marigny, who missed two penalties and a drop goal, and Luciano Orquera were disappointing with the boot.

He said: “I think the first half was good for us but we never executed those chances.

“We dominated territory and possession but we didn’t take the points and we missed three shots at goal and a drop kick.

“We needed to get those points but Scotland came out in the second half and dominated us in terms of territory and they kicked the ball well.

“At the end of the day the difference was the goal kicking which was disappointing for us.

“That took the confidence out of us and it was a disappointed changing room.”