WALES 54 ROMANIA 8

GWENT Dragons coaches Mike Ruddock and Clive Griffiths worked the oracle for Wales last night to end a humiliating run of 11 defeats by the national side.

Despite only two sessions with a young, makeshift squad, which included eight new caps - and three Newport & Gwent Dragons in the starting XV in Ian Gough, Nathan brew and Andy Marinos - they conjured up a pride and passion missing from national coach Steve Hansen's teams for so long.

And if Hansen fails to produce a win over Scotland at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, Ruddock could yet be in charge come the World Cup in October.

Hansen admits privately he fears the sack could be just around the corner, but continues to insists he will see his contract out and not give the media the satisfaction of forcing him to quit.

However, defeat against a much-changed Scotland side after the loss in Ireland and humiliation against an England Second XV could convince even a reluctant, cash-strapped WRU to give him the boot and after last night Ruddock is bang in line to take over.

The former Swansea, Ebbw Vale and Leinster coach admitted afterwards: "I do fancy the job one day, but probably as my last job.

"Its a great feeling to get an opportunity at something you have been striving for such a long time."

Wales' victory at their lucky Racecourse Ground in Wrex-ham was their first since beating Canada in November 2002.

But although the points margin was only two fewer than that achieved by France against Romania only five days ago, their opponents admitted being tired and certainly looked a very poor and jaded outfit.

Wales out-fought them from start to finish, dominating the line-outs, scrums and in the loose to give their backs a plentiful supply of ball, playing a very fluid game to run in six tries.

All were converted by classy full-back Gavin Henson, who made it ten out of ten and 24 points with four penalties as well.

Henson, though, blotted his copybook with two late knock-ons, but he and Neath/Swansea wing Shane Williams were easily the slickest of the Welsh backs, although the Dragon's Nathan Brew scored a try on his senior international debut and showed great promise.

Half-backs Michael Phillips (Llanelli) and Nicky Robinson (Cardiff) showed initial promise but faded and still look to need more time.

Loose head prop Paul James and flanker Jonathan Thomas (both Neath/Swansea) were the pick of the hard-working forwards but it is doubtful if the watching Hansen learned much he did not already know and it will still be a surprise if many of the above make his final World Cup party.

However the priority last night was a morale boosting win and the Newport and Gwent coaches ensured that this was achieved in some style.

Wales put Romania under pressure from the start, and though the game at times became scrappy Wales built up and maintained the momentum and with fierce, first time tackling ensured there was no way back for their opponents.

This is how they will have to play in World Cup for, make no mistake, their expected quarter- final place is no formality.

Wales at their recent worst would be hard-pressed to overcome group opponents Canada and Italy, let alone New Zealand, and if Tonga can afford to leave Newcastle wing come flanker Epeli Taione out of their squad they too will be no pushovers.

But, for now, Wales at last have something to cheer and the pressure the young members of their preliminary World Cup squad have now put on the senior members may provide the incentive required for better results and performances.

Wales were in front within three minutes last night. They disrupted a Romanian scrum, Leeds Tykes' number eight Alix Popham, who also did well, forced a turnover and a long Robinson pass enabled Henson to put Shane Williams over.

Romanian prop Petru Balan was driven over three minutes later but a Henson penalty and conversion of a close-range try by Phillips made it 17-5.

Romania's only remaining points came from a Danut Dumbrava penalty to make it 17-8 but after than Wales strove ahead with a Popham try following a line out drive sandwiched between two Henson penalties to make it 30-8 at the interval.

Balan was yellow-carded for a late shoulder charge and while he was off another Henson penalty and Brew's try from a quick inside pass by Robinson made it 40-8.

Indiscipline left Romania down to 13 men for three minutes when prop Marcel Socaciu was yellow-carded for a trip but as they became disjointed a frenetic Wales failed to keep calm and pile up the points.

However, Shane Williams put flanker Gavin Thomas over from a quickly-taken free-kick and, in the 9th of 11 minutes of injury- time, thrilled a sparse crowd of around 5,000 with his second try to bring up the half-century.

Scorers for Wales: tries by: Shane Williams (2), Phillips, Popham, Brew, Gavin Thomas; conversions: Henson (6); penalties: Henson (4). Romania: try: Balan; penalty: Dumbrava.

Wales: G Henson, N Brew, M Watkins (G Wyatt 74 min), A Marinos (J Bryant 75), S Williams, N Robinson, M Phillips (A Williams 51), P James, M Davies (P Young 80), B Evans (C Anthony 80), I Gough (D Jones 61), B Cockbain, J Thomas, G Thomas, A Popham (J Bater 68).

Romania: D Dumbrave, C Sauen, V Maftei, R Gontineac, G Brezoianu, I Tafan (I Teudorescu 40 min), L Sirbu (I Andrei 75), P Balan (D Tudosa 74), M Tincu, M Socaciu, S Socol (A Petrichei 40), C Petre, H Chiriac (C Popescu 59), C Mersoiu (M Tudori 65), O Tonita.

Referee: Andrew Turner (South Africa).