Italy slump as Laney proves point

The native New Zealander, parachuted into the Scotland team amid furious controversy in November, scored all but five of his adopted country's points in their ghost-busting 29-12 Six Nations victory over Italy on Saturday. Defeats to the All Blacks and England in his first two outings hardly created a welcoming climate for the newcomer and, reflecting on a more successful third cap, Laney said: 'I feel a hell of a lot happier with that. I feel I've put a bit into the team and won a bit of respect.'

Dissenting voices against Laney were rather more difficult to find here after the match. A try, two conversions and five penalties in a victory which avenged the humiliation of defeat two years ago had a pacifying effect on even the most rabid nationalists. Of course, Scotland being Scotland, Laney's elevation to hero status was almost an accident. Had Chris Paterson not been lying injured in the 20th minute, Laney would not have been thrust into the goal-kicking role which has defeated so many Scots.

First-choice kicker Paterson had already skewed a close-range effort wide, so perhaps the head injury which gave his stand-in the job was fate. Scotland coach Ian McGeechan is likely to demand that the new Borders super district finds an answer to the country's problem in that department. But, in the meantime, Laney has now been promoted to No.1.

There was a shock for Laney at the end of the match when he was struck in the face by a souvenir-hunter. He said: 'I saw someone try to get hold of Chris's shirt. I told him to leave it out, but then he tried to get mine. For obvious reasons, it was a jersey I wanted to keep hold of, but then he slapped me in the face.'

ITALY - Pens: Dominguez 4.
SCOTLAND - Tries: Townsend, Laney. Cons: Laney 2. Pens: Laney 5.