Wales 22 Scotland 27

RELATIONS between Wales and Italy have never been better after Scotland won in Cardiff for the first time for six years on Saturday.

For if it was not for the fledgling rugby nation of Italy turning the historic Five Nations Championship into the Six Nations two years ago Wales would be bottom of the pile.

Only Italy stand between Wales and the wooden spoon, the only Welsh victory in a dismal Six Nations season being against Italy.

It did look as though Wales might scrape home against the Scots, particularly after a decent start put them into a 9-0 lead courtesy of three Stephen Jones penalties.

But it was downhill all the way after that as the Scots took charge, especially up front.

It can't get much worse than this, and it's just as well Steve Hansen was offered a two-year contract as Wales coach before the match because he would surely not have received it afterwards.

Even now that offer could be withdrawn after such an appalling performance which had fans streaming out before the end uttering words which can't be repeated here.

One of the printable offerings was that there were two shocking teams out there with the only difference being Scotland could win their own line-out ball.

That about summed it up as errors abounded, there was little continuity and no platform for Wales to use the pace they possessed out wide.

That was because of an incredible obliteration in the line-out which makes you wonder just what was done in camp all week.

Barry Williams was even worse than Robin McBryde at throwing in, and the Scots, mainly through the excellent Scott Murray, stole seven Welsh line-out balls.

On one embarrassing occasion no-one even got off the floor at a Welsh throw while Murray just plucked the ball out of the air.

Starved of possession, Wales couldn't achieve anything to the despair of what could be the last Millennium Stadium full house for a long time.

Fans want to be there, they give it everything as they showed when they tried to sing Wales home in the second half and rose to their feet to acclaim Bill McLaren for his final championship commentary and Rob Howley for his last international appearance. But they are no longer prepared to fork out nearly £40 for a ticket, and lots more on the day out, to watch this dross. Who can blame them?

Those three Jones penalties gave Wales some early hope, but gradually Scotland's supremacy in the set pieces changed the game's course.

The Scots have always been expert scavengers and marauders, and drives by the pack led to hooker Gordon Bulloch pouncing for two tries in just nine minutes. Full back Brendan Laney converted the second and kicked a penalty to give the Scots a 15-9 lead.

The loss during the interval of Nathan Budgett, coupled with the absence of Scott Quinnell deprived Wales of line-out ability. Andy Moore had already gone off as well, so Wales were clearly struggling up front, though briefly they promised better things with the arrival of Iestyn Harris.

He showed one or two flashes, the first enabling the fleet-footed Rhys Williams to race across for a try which Jones converted.

The lead changed hands five times as Jones and Laney swapped penalties. It looked as though Wales might steal an undeserved victory when up popped Laney for his fourth penalty in the final minute of normal time.

One more would have taken him past Gavin Hastings' Scottish record of 16 points for the fixture, but he injured himself and deep into injury time Duncan Hodge came on and landed the penalty which settled it.

Wales: K Morgan, R Williams, M Taylor, A Marinos (I Harris 43 mins), C Morgan (D James 71), S Jones, R Howley (D Peel 66), I Thomas (S John 57), B Williams (R McBryde 43), C Anthony, I Gough, A Moore (C Wyatt 12), N Budgett (G Thomas 40), C Charvis (captain), M Williams.

Scorers -- try: R Williams; conversion: S Jones; penalties: Jones (5).

Scotland: B Laney (D Hodge 83), K Logan (G Metcalfe 60), J McLaren, J Leslie, C Paterson, G Townsend, B Redpath (captain), T Smith, G Bulloch (R Russell 75), M Stewart (G Graham 40), S Murray, J White (S Grimes 57), M Leslie (J Petrie 71), S Taylor, B Pountney.

Scorers -- tries: G Bulloch (2); conversion: B Laney; penalties: Laney (4), D Hodge.

* In the picture: A rare moment of Welsh joy as Williams scores their only try