WALES will go to the World Cup on the back of two successive victories which even a week ago seemed a bit optimistic.

They halted their 11-match losing streak with victory over Romania, and coach Steve Hansen achieved a win against a major country for the first time in his reign, assuming Italy are not counted.

The Romania win was against pretty poor opposition, and for long periods Scotland were in charge at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

But a win is a win, and at the moment Wales must settle for that. There is no denying that the confidence of the squad has been lifted and the side will look for pool victories over Canada, Tonga and Italy in Australia this October.

Seven days ago Hansen's position looked perilous, to put it mildly, following a record home defeat by England, a second team at that, to follow ten previous defeats in charge.

On top of that came his four-letter-word outburst on television, which went down like a lead balloon, even in WRU circles.

Had it not been for the fact that the WRU would have had to pay out a six-figure sum in compensation, he could well have been shown the door.

It could still have happened - Hansen himself believed it was a possibility - if Scotland had been another disastrous defeat for Wales.

But the team and Hansen rallied, they won, and they did not allow their line to be crossed despite lengthy spells of heavy Scottish pressure.

Gwent Dragons' Michael Owen scored the only try of the game, and the whole atmosphere was better, saving Hansen's bacon and setting the squad off to Australia on something of a high.

Having said that, Wales know they could easily have lost against the Scots had they possessed a bit more guile and finishing ability.

Match statistics reveal that Wales made a staggering 148 tackles compared with Scotland's 43, which gives a good idea of how much defending Wales had to do.

The Scots won better possession, aided by a pretty high penalty count in their favour and they dominated for long spells, especially in the second half.

But the Welsh defence held firm, moving up faster, and every player tackled as if his life depended on it.

Leading the way was not so much a back row forward or even a back as prop Duncan Jones, who gave a highly amusing though quite articulate press conference after with fellow Neath and hirsute prop Adam Jones after the match.

Openside flanker Richard Parks also tackled his heart out to stake a late claim for a World Cup place, as did Rhys Oakley, after replacing injury victim Alix Popham, and Colin Charvis showed far greater appetite and enthusiasm, twice bursting away from the Scottish defence only to fail to find support.

It was a far more rewarding experience for him as captain after the shambles of Rome last season.

Wales also showed more options behind, and Hansen could well consider Ceri Sweeney at outside-half, bringing more variety to his game than Stephen Jones, while Garan Evans showed ability in attack and defence and is an alternative to Rhys Williams.

Tom Shanklin proved the type of committed, hard-running player Hansen likes at centre, and his run paved the way for the only try of the game by Owen, who came inside and over for his first try for Wales.

For the rest of their points Wales had to rely on the boot, with Iestyn Harris kicking five penalties and Sweeney dropping a goal, while Brendan Laney landed three penalties for Scotland.

Evans' last-ditch tackle on Andy Craig in injury time kept the Welsh line intact, and it remained that way even though Shanklin was yellow-carded in injury time for obstruction.

While Wales came out in credit and with a few answers at last, the Scots will be full of despair at not putting Wales away when they had them on the ropes.

On top of that they lost skipper Scott Murray with a leg injury in the first half, which could further dent their World Cup chances.

Full back Glenn Murray was their best attacking player and Chris Paterson showed typical touches when he went on in the closing stages.

But Gregor Townsend could do little right, there was no midfield penetration and no finishing power.

But at least Wales battled all the way and hung in there for victory, which will at least send them off to the World Cup in some heart.

Wales: G Evans, J Robinson, T Shanklin, I Harris, M Watkins (H Luscombe 83), C Sweeney, D Peel, D Jones, R McBryde (H Bennett 78), A Jones,V Cooper (G Llewellyn 50), M Owen, C Charvis (captain), A Popham (R Oakley 26), R Parks. Scorers -- try: M Owen; penalties: I Harris (5); dropped goal: C Sweeney. Scotland: G Metcalfe, R Kerr, A Craig, B Laney (C Paterson 72), S Danielli, G Townsend, G Beveridge, G Kerr, G Bulloch (D Hall 61), B Douglas (G Mcilwham 40), S Murray, captain (N Hines 33), S Grimes, M Leslie (A Dall 61), J Petrie, A Mower. Scorers -- penalties (3): B Laney.