Brunel’s troops began their RBS 6 Nations campaign with a stirring 23-18 win over les Bleus on the opening weekend however it was back down to earth with a bump at Murrayfield.

Despite reeling from a resounding 38-18 defeat against England, Scotland were in free-flowing form, running in four tries to claim a 34-10 victory.

Tim Visser, Matt Scott, Stuart Hogg and Sean Lamont scored tries for the home side with Italy only able to respond with an Alessandro Zanni score.

But while it was Scotland’s running rugby that at first glance appeared to be the difference between the sides, Brunel insisted it was his side’s deficiencies at the breakdown that cost them dearly.

“We lacked lucidity and precision in the key moments,” he said.

“There is a lot of disappointment because we weren’t clinical at the breakdown, giving our scrum-half difficult, slow and dirty ball. In the general management of the game we moved the ball too much and didn’t play enough territory.

"In the end Scotland nicked two tries, but they all count.”