Wales crushes Scotland in Cardiff
An injury-ravaged Wales showed few signs of vulnerability in a 34-7 thrashing of Scotland in their Six Nations opener.
Wales made light of significant injury worries to get its Six Nations campaign off to a flying start as Leigh Halfpenny starred in a 34-7 drubbing of Scotland.
Warren Gatland's preparations for the tournament were disrupted by a number of key players being ruled out with various fitness concerns, including the likes of Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Lydiate, Jonathan Davies and Liam Williams.
As a result, Scotland was touted as the favourite to prevail in Cardiff and classed by many as a dark horse to lift the trophy, but its dismal away form continued as Wales benefited from a whirlwind start that saw it score twice in the opening 12 minutes at Principality Stadium.
Scotland has now lost 16 of its 18 away games in the Six Nations since 2010, its only two victories coming in Italy, and it contributed to its own downfall in this contest as Gareth Davies intercepted Ali Price's pass to surge over.
Halfpenny passed 700 points in Tests as he registered his first try for five years soon afterwards, the full-back converting both scores and slotting two penalties as Wales moved 20-0 in front with half an hour to go.
Having gone 38 Tests without a try, Halfpenny made it two in one afternoon midway through the second period and the bonus point was secured in the closing stages as Steff Evans produced a stunning mid-air finish in the left corner, with Peter Horne's reply no more than a consolation.
Scotland spent most of the opening six minutes inside Wales territory but was suddenly undone as Price's pass infield was seized upon by opposite number Davies, who raced away to score from 60 metres.
Wales went close to a quick-fire second when Evans knocked on with the line beckoning after superb build-up play involving locks Cory Hill and Alun Wyn Jones.
The hosts did not have to wait long, however, as Scotland was penalised for an illegal feed into the resulting scrum, allowing Wales to work it left and then back to the right for Halfpenny to crash over.
The visitors continued to manoeuvre themselves into promising positions but on each occasion a sloppy turnover scuppered their efforts and their profligacy was further punished early in the second period as Halfpenny slotted a simple penalty.
John Barclay was the transgressor on that occasion and the visiting captain was penalised again shortly afterwards, Halfpenny thumping another kick straight down the middle from just inside the Scotland half.
There was no let up from Wales, which sent Halfpenny over for his second just after the hour, and Evans piled further misery on the away side with a spectacular winger's finish seven minutes from the end.
Horne gave the Scotland fans something to cheer with a minute remaining but it could not take the shine off a wonderful win for Wales.
