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Steve Hansen was given a winning send-off to his spell as Wales coach with a comprehensive 44-10 victory over Italy in their 2004 RBS 6 Nations finale at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

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 with six tries.

Rhys Williams and Shane Williams celebrated try doubles, with replacement Tom Shanklin adding the other as Wales clinched fourth place in the championship in Hansen's final game before he returns to New Zealand.

Hansen had won just two of his previous 13 games in the championship since taking over just over two years ago.

Welsh pressure eventually forced the visitors into conceding a 10th-minute penalty which Stephen Jones converted to give his side the lead. Jones increased that lead six minutes later with another penalty following a powerful run from Dafydd Jones.

Wales fired into life just before the half-hour when Rhys Williams took a short pass from Iestyn Harris and burst through the Italian defence. Williams' 45-metre sprint was ended on the visitors' line by a try-saving tackle from Gonzalo Canale.

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

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

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, with video referee Gregg Davies ruling it out.

Italy finally got on the scoreboard three minutes into the second period when 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 rounded off a slick and stunning move just moments after replacing the Cardiff player.

Andrea Masi responded with a try for Italy - though television replays questioned whether he grounded the ball - as the visitors finally got their attacking game together. Replacement Rima Wakarua converted.

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.

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