Italy 's seven-year search for a Six Nations win will go on for at least one more week as the Azzurri were once again confirmed as Wooden Spoon recipients following a 33-22 loss to Scotland.
Saturday's result at the Stadio Olimpico marked Italy's 11th straight defeat to the Tartan Army, who crossed the whitewash five times in Rome.
British and Irish Lions centre Chris Harris was responsible for two of those scores, while Sam Johnson, Darcy Graham and Stuart Hogg completed a very successful day's work for Scotland's backs .
Stand-in scrum-half Callum Braley kept Italy in the fight with a try shortly before the break, while super substitute Ange Capuozzo's pair of consolatory scores gave him cause to celebrate his senior debut.
Paolo Garbisi's fifth-minute penalty poked the hosts ahead as Scotland struggled to gain a foothold, but it wasn't long before George Turner took the game by the scruff of the neck with a barrelling run down the right.
The Glasgow hooker flattened Italy scrum-half Braley as Italian eyes swarmed to one side of the field, freeing centre Johnson to fly over in the opposite corner (snatching a score from Kyle Steyn in the process).
The back-and-forth nature of the clash was on full display when Finn Russell threw an interception for Italy to threaten, only for Player of the Match Ali Price to pick off a pass of his own and relieve Scotland of pressure.
He found Steyn in space on the left, and Price's chip inside was perfectly placed for Gloucester midfielder Harris to glide over for his first of the day.
It was Benetton's Braley—filling in for the injured Stephen Varney—who gave up possession to inspire that score, but Italy's No. 9 soon made up for his error by capping off a superb try at the opposite end.
Zebre winger Pierre Bruno deserved major praise for keeping the ball in play as Scotland skipper Hogg sought to drive him out, just about managing to stay in touch and offload for Braley to dot down.
The last laugh of the half went to the visitors, however, when a slick back-line manoeuvre in the Italian 22' ended with Harris haring over for his second score in a quarter-of-an-hour.
Scotland didn't take their time in picking up that momentum after the restart, with Graham coming in off his right wing and showing a flash pair of feet to scuttle over for his second try of the tournament.
Italy chief Crowley rung the changes and had used almost all of his substitutes with 30 minutes remaining in a bid to stop the rot, but it would take more than that to cease Scotland's surge.
Hogg had set alarm bells ringing with a few threatening counters early on in the second half, and that danger eventually paid dividends after Price picked apart a tired-looking Italy defence on the hour mark.
Russell notched his fourth conversion of the day to buffer the scoreline further, though he was fortunate to find most of his attempts were in very advantageous positions.
Grenoble winger Capuozzo—who replaced Bruno early in the second period—danced over in the corner for his first Italy try minutes later, following up with a second deep into injury time to mark a dazzling debut.
Italy remain without a point to their name but can take heart in the manner in which they fought back, not to mention 22-year-old Capuozzo's fast start to Test life could be the start of something big.
Scotland boss Townsend told BBC Radio Scotland he was "delighted with the win" but conceded the final 20 minutes were diappointing after his side let their foot off the gas.
"We played well until the 50 minute mark and after that we weren't as good," he continued. "That's the best I've seen Italy play over the last couple of seasons.
"Maybe we thought they'd crack, but you have to keep your intensity up against all opposition.
A second win of the tournament is enough to lift Scotland to fourth and back above Wales, whose losing bonus point in Friday's 13-9 defeat to France was enough to temporarily boost them.
The lift is well-timed considering Townsend's side are set to conclude their tournament next Saturday with a trip to Dublin, where Scotland haven't managed a victory since 2010.
Italy are also due back on the road and wrap up their Six Nations campaign away to Wales, hoping a visit to Cardiff will be the good luck charm they need to end their drought.
ITALY - Tries: Braley, Capuozzo 2. Con: Garbisi 2. Pens: Garbisi.
SCOTLAND - Tries: Johnson, Harris 2, Graham, Hogg. Con: Russell 4.
