Wales dominate Scotland to keep sights on Grand Slam

Scotland 22 Wales 46

Wales remain firmly on course for their first Grand Slam since 1978 after a blistering display of running rugby destroyed Scotland in the RBS Six Nations clash at Murrayfield.

After this emphatic win Mike Ruddock’s resurgent and entertaining side must now beat Ireland on Saturday at the Millennium Stadium to claim their ninth clean sweep.

Scotland failed miserably to build on their unconvincing victory over Italy a fortnight ago and such a poor performance is likely to further increase the heat on coach Matt Williams.

With a daunting trip to face England at Twickenham on Saturday looming, it is likely that the Australian will only have secured one Six Nations win from two campaigns in charge of the national team.

Ryan Jones was the first to touch down in Edinburgh after a magnificent handling move which proved an accurate portent of things to come.

Rhys Williams intercepted a laboured Dan Parks pass to gallop virtually the length of the field for the second before Shane Williams was the beneficiary of a Stephen Jones break for Wales’ third.

Stephen Jones added three conversions and a penalty in these incredible first 15 minutes to make the game effectively safe with less than a quarter of the game gone.

Kevin Morgan got on the scoresheet after being fed by Tom Shanklin and then grabbed a second try just before the break following a jet-heeled break from Dwayne Peel.

Chris Paterson’s solitary penalty was all hapless Scotland could produce in the opening period.

Rhys Williams got his second of the afternoon not long after the break thanks to a quick tap penalty from Peel before Glasgow centre Andy Craig replied with Scotland’s first try.

The home side improved in the second period and they took advantage of Brent Cockbain’s sin-binning for a ruck offence when Rory Lamont collected a looping Jon Petrie pass and dismissed the challenge of Shane Williams to touch down for a debut try.

Paterson collected Hugo Southwell’s chip ahead to cross for Scotland’s third try but it was too little too late for the Scots as Wales marched on to Cardiff unbeaten.