Leigh Halfpenny grabbed a brace of tries and enjoyed a fine day with the boot as Warren Gatland’s men built on a famous opening round success in Ireland despite losing skipper Sam Warburton to a dead leg prior to kick off.
Having kicked the crucial last-gasp penalty to steal the spoils in Dublin, Halfpenny picked up 22 points, with Cardiff Blues team-mate Alex Cuthbert claiming the other score in a comfortable 27-13 victory.
The scoreboard read just three points apiece at half time but the opening 40 minutes were anything but dull. Both teams had chances to claim the opening try, with Wales dominating territory and possession for much of the half without crossing the whitewash.
But it was Scotland who should really have gone in in front at the break as they lay siege to the Welsh line in the final few moments. Somehow Wales held firm, however, as commitment at the breakdown and an impressive togetherness in defence forced Allan Jacobsen to knock on at the base of a ruck with the line at his mercy.
Whatever head coach Gatland said at half time, it worked for Wales as they enjoyed a breathtaking start to the second period.
Chris Cusiter’s failure to claim Rhys Priestland’s deep kick off handed Wales an attacking lineout, with the end result being Cuthbert’s first try in senior Wales colours. The giant wideman, who enjoyed a superb game in just his second Wales start, bumped off Greig Laidlaw to power over from close range and put his side in front for the first time.
Halfpenny slotted a well-struck conversion to add to his first-half penalty and Wales were 10-3 to the good with just two minutes gone in the second half.
And things got even better for Wales just moments later as Halfpenny added a second penalty after Scotland were reduced to 14 men. Nick De Luca needlessly hauled down Jonathan Davies after the Scarlets star hacked ahead and referee Romain Poite – on the advice of his touch judge – sent the Scotland centre to the bin.
The visitors did hit back with a Laidlaw three-pointer to close the gap to 13-6 on 48 minutes but Wales surged further ahead just two minutes later as Halfpenny raced over following great work from Cuthbert. The newcomer stepped outside Lee Jones, drew Stuart Hogg into the tackle and then fed Halfpenny, who proceeded to dance in underneath the sticks having crossed the line out wide.
Halfpenny’s conversion handed Wales a 14-point lead at 20-6 before Scotland found themselves reduced to 13 when Rory Lamont joined De Luca on the sidelines. Lamont’s professional foul from an offside position put his team in all sorts of trouble and, even though De Luca returned moments later, Wales were soon celebrating a third try.
Toby Faletau and Mike Phillips combined brilliantly at a five-metre scrum and the Wales No9 then held up the penultimate defender before popping off to the onrushing Halfpenny whose angle took him wide of the cover defence for another fine score.
The successful conversion stretched the gap to 27-6 two minutes before the hour mark and Wales were effectively home and dry.
Scotland refused to lay down and die, though, and they should have scored their first try in five games when Hogg was adjudged to have knocked on just a couple of metres short following a fine team move.
They did cross the line with 16 minutes remaining as Laidlaw pounced from the back of a ruck less than a metre short but Wales never looked in danger of relinquishing their lead despite a frantic end to proceedings.
Wales now head to Twickenham in a fortnight’s time in high spirits as they go in search of a Triple Crown triumph at the headquarters of English Rugby.
