Welsh hit ground running

Six Nations / Wales 23 Scotland 10: It is a measure of how far Wales have come since last year, when they went 10 matches without tasting success and lost in Italy, that their reaction to an impressive victory over Scotland was one of muted joy after failing to score in the final 35 minutes.

In running the ball from their own 25 from the kick-off they started with the same brash confidence with which they ended their World Cup campaign.

Coach Steve Hansen talked his players up last week with the confidence of a man who knew that the side had reached its crossroads in Australia last November and had taken the right direction. It was time for them to push on to the next stage and go from competing to completing.

Scotland were overwhelmed by the vim and flair with which Wales attacked and leaked two tries in the opening 14 minutes, the first on the right flank and the second on the left, as they found themselves stretched every which way by a side that maintained continuity by passing at the point of contact rather than going to ground.

In contrast, Scotland struggled to deliver quick possession and their ball-carriers were so enveloped in the tackle that they frequently lost the ball. One such fumble by hooker Gordon Bulloch led to the best move of the match as Wales counter-attacked from their own 25, culminating in full back Gareth Thomas scoring what he thought was a record-equalling 33rd try for Wales.

It was ruled out because Sonny Parker had been blown up for blocking two would-be tacklers, though on the evidence of the opening quarter Thomas was unlikely to have been hauled down as the Scotland coach Matt Williams had the rudest of introductions to international rugby. England come next on Saturday.

Wales were irrepressible in attack, where the vision and repertoire of the centre Iestyn Harris complemented the pace of his back three.

When Rhys Williams side-stepped over for his second try eight minutes into the second half to put his side 20 points in front, Wales looked on course for a record victory before they started, if not to showboat, to take unnecessary risks that, together with the introduction of Jason White into the Scotland back row, tilted the balance of the game without ever threatening to affect the result.

That Wales spent most of the final quarter defending, conceding a try in the final minute of stoppage time, was valuable given that their next three matches are against Ireland, France and England, though there is ample evidence, especially in the case of the first two, that victory for Hansen's men would not be seismic in shock terms.

The Wales players spoke afterwards about how the feeling in the dressing-room was not one of elation, despite their first victory on the opening weekend of the championship since 1997.

"I think the fact we tapered off in the second half could be a blessing in disguise," said Harris. "It means everyone will have their feet on the ground in Dublin on Sunday because we know we are not the finished article."

Running the ball from deep at the start was pre-planned, a sign of the confidence rippling through the team. "We wanted to keep the World Cup spirit alive," said the outhalf Stephen Jones. "We knew the pace we had out wide and we went for it from the kick-off. Ireland will be a test of where we really are."

Scotland's display had little to commend it other than a refusal to capitulate with a new coach frowning on the sidelines and a typically resourceful lineout. Williams is trying to reverse what has been a slow but inexorable decline over the past five years.

WALES: G Thomas; R Williams, Parker, Harris, S Williams; S Jones, Cooper (Peel, 80); A Jones, Davies (Bennett, 68), A Jones ( Jenkins, 32), Cockbain, Llewellyn (Owen, 52), Charvis (capt; D Jones, 75), M Williams, D Jones (J Thomas, 64). Tries: R Williams 2, A Jones. Con: S Jones. Pens: S Jones 2.

SCOTLAND: Hinshelwood (Webster, 64); Danielli, Philip, Laney (Parks, 45), Henderson ; Paterson (capt), Cusiter (Blair, 74); Smith, Bulloch (Russell, 80), Douglas (Kerr, 52); Murray, Grimes, Mather, Hogg (White, 51), Taylor. Try: Taylor. Con: Paterson. Drop-goal: Paterson.

Referee: D Courtney (Ireland).