It was soon to become 19-9 when Allan’s unerring boot lashed over another penalty, and then another early in the second half to make it a just a seven-point game.
Allan’s boot kept Italy in the game and their confidence started to soar as a consequence. The game began to take on shades of Rome a year ago, when Scotland raced into a lead and then got pegged back slowly but surely.
That sense only hardened when Russell, in two minds around kicking or passing, threw a weak ball in Jones’ direction which was picked off by Brex.
The centre ran away to the posts. Allan converted and the game was level. History repeating?
It was a scrap now, a disjointed, nervy slugfest, but when you have a little genius like Graham in your ranks then you always have hope. The try that put Scotland back in the lead, and gave them a bonus point, was startling.
From a scrum on the edge of their own 22, they went right, eventually to Graham, who cut back inside, evading two defenders, put on the turbo boost to skip away from another and then found Jones who scampered away.
Boy, did Scotland need something to happen at that time. They had become stodgy and error-prone until the wee man did his thing and electrified Murrayfield. A try from nothing that settled home nerves.
Russell made it a 26-19 with the conversion. Graham’s brilliance sparked something and Scotland scored again five minutes later.
This time, it was Jones at his outstanding best. He had three Italians to get by near the visitors’ line and he did them all. A treble for the centre and precious breathing space for the Scots.
Italy came again, piled on the heat, came close to another comeback but the belligerence in the home defence kept them out amid some hairy moments.
