But he has been surpassed by Rafael Nadal on the list of all-time Masters Series titles after the Spaniard won in Rome to match record-holder Andre Agassi on 17.

CNN: Federer registers first clay win of 2010

Nadal's victory here last year came in Djokovic's absence, and the Spaniard subsequently lost to him in Madrid and Rome before beating Roger Federer in the French Open final for a record-equaling sixth title at Roland Garros.

CNN: Grieving Djokovic faces Nadal in final

Another factor that needs considering is the level of lightning activity in early February in the region around Rome - something the UK's Met Office is able to monitor and record with the help of a system of sensors dotted around Europe.

BBC: What is the chance of lightning striking St Peter's?

If you dig a little deeper, you find that the World Cup-winning captain has overseen a solitary victory away from home in his two years in charge, against Italy in Rome in this year's Six Nations, and England's track record on the road needs addressing before time runs out.

BBC: Injury-hit Wallabies look vulnerable

He does not skate over the conduct of Allied troops who apparently looted more freely than the Germans, or the appalling record of French Moroccan troops, who raped their way through the mountains south of Rome without being held to account then or later.

ECONOMIST: The second world war in Italy

The home side held on to record their victory, while the Scots have now still not recorded a Six Nations away win since visiting Rome in 2006.

BBC: Italy 16-12 Scotland