Full-back Gareth Thomas scored a record 34th try for Wales - breaking the mark he shared with Ieuan Evans - as Wales avenged last season's humiliating defeat in Rome.

Wings Rhys Williams and Shane Williams celebrated try doubles with replacement Tom Shanklin adding the other in Hansen's final game before he returns to New Zealand.

Wales saw plenty of early ball, and Stephen Jones kicked two penalties to put them 6-0 ahead inside 16 minutes.

Wales fired into life just before the half-hour when right-wing Rhys Williams 45-metre sprint was ended on the visitors line by a try-saving tackle from full-back Gonzalo Canale.

But it only delayed the inevitable as left-wing Shane Williams shrugged off two tackles and stretched out his right hand as three Italians tried to smother him on the line.

Italy were now in disarray, and on the half-hour scrum-half Gareth Cooper and full-back Gareth Thomas combined to send Rhys Williams sprinting down the touch-line to take his Welsh try tally into double figures.

Centre Mark Taylor should have added a third try five minutes later following another break.
However, he lost control of the ball as he attempted to touch down in the corner.

Italy finally got on the scoreboard three minutes in the second period when outside-half Roland de Marigny landed a comfortable penalty.

Wales killed off any hopes of an Italian fightback when Thomas forced his way over to grab a record 34th try for Wales.

Thomas timed his entry into the line to perfection to burst over from 25 metres with a couple of Italians desperately hanging onto him. Jones converted.

Three minutes later Shanklin, unlucky to miss out on a starting place to RBS man-of-the-match Iestyn Harris, rounded off a slick and stunning move just moments after replacing the Cardiff player.

Centre Andrea Masi responded with a try for Italy, with replacement Rima Wakarua converting.

But Wales quickly replied as Shane Williams cantered over for his second try of the afternoon with Jones again adding the extra points.

Italy were a spent force as Rhys Williams then got his brace of tries after a flowing move involving forwards and backs. Jones again converted.


Wales: G. Thomas, R. Williams, Taylor, Harris, S. Williams, S. Jones, Cooper, D. Jones, McBryde, Jenkins, Llewellyn, Owen, Charvis, M. Williams, D. Jones. Replacements: Shanklin for Harris (59), Sweeney for S. Jones (74), Peel for Cooper (75), B. Evans for D. Jones (79), Davies for McBryde (74), Popham for Owen (78), Sidoli for D. Jones (79).

Italy: Canale, Mazzucato, Masi, Stoica, D. Dallan, De Marigny, Griffen, Lo Cicero, Ongaro, Castrogiovanni, Dellape, Del Fava, Bortolami, Persico, De Rossi. Replacements: Bergamasco for Mazzucato (66), Picone for Masi (75), Wakarua for D. Dallan (52), Perugini for Castrogiovanni (59), Mandelli for Del Fava (59), Orlando for Persico (12). Not Used: Festuccia.

Att: 72,500

Ref: Mark Lawrence (South Africa).