Scotland’s match-winner Duncan Weir insists he was never worried about missing his last-gasp drop goal that beat Italy.
The Dark Blues finally snuffed out worries they would end up with this year’s Six Nations wooden spoon with a dramatic 21-20 win over the Azzurri in Rome.
There was just 10 seconds left on the clock with the home side leading by two points when Weir kept his nerve in front of a 66,271-strong crowd at the Stadio Olimpico to plant the ball between the sticks and kick off jubilant Scottish celebrations.
And the fearless Glasgow stand-off claimed he went into auto-pilot as he handed Scotland their first win of the championships. “It’s the first time I have dropped a goal for Scotland and it has never been more important. I’m absolutely delighted," said Weir.
“In those pressure moments you can only focus on your routine. I made sure I got my ball drop right and got a clean connection. I’m just so thankful it went over. I ran off celebrating, going off my head. It was an immense feeling.”
However, head coach Scott Johnson admitted he was not so confident, joking: “I’ve been watching him in training for the three weeks and he hasn’t looked like kicking one.
“I was delighted for him, because his is a position that carries a lot of responsibility. I’ve seen some growth in the lad and I’m so pleased for him.”
The Scots’ winning display was a huge improvement on their 20-0 humiliation at the hands of England a fortnight ago. But there were still worries for Johnson after his team went in at the break 13-3 behind.
Tommy Allan – the former Scotland Under-20s fly-half now representing the nation of his mother’s birth – kicked two penalties before bursting through the Scottish defence to score the first try a minute before the break.
But the visitors to the Eternal City responded in style with a fine second-half blitz.
With Greig Laidlaw scoring a couple of penalties, Alex Dunbar then opened his international account with two tries in the space of 13 minutes.
But the Azzurri hit back when Sergio Parisse played in lock Joshua Furno to score in the corner.
That edged Italy back in front but there was just about time left for Weir to make himself a hero with his 40-yard drop goal.
