Welsh pulverise Poms

Wales thrashed England by a record-breaking 30-3 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Saturday to retain the Six Nations title and deny the visitors a Grand Slam.

In other Six Nations action Italy scored its second 2013 victory by beating Ireland 22-15.

Wales wing Alex Cuthbert’s two second-half tries proved decisive in a match they had to win by seven points to retain the title for the first time since 1979, provided they maintained their superior try-count.

As it was the defending Grand Slam champions beat a 108-year-old record to clinch their biggest win over England, surpassing the 25-point margin recorded in a 25-0 win back in 1905.

“It’s unreal, it’s what dreams are all about,” said Wales flank Justin Tipuric, who was named man of the match.

“We were outstanding, we all worked so hard, it’s brilliant. We knew what we could do, we talked about it all week and we were ready to play since Monday.”

Tipuric said Wales’s opening defeat at the hands of Ireland had inspired them to their victory.

“We got a lot of bad media. That gave us a kick up the backside, but we all stayed tight.”

After building a 12-3 lead early in the second half, through four penalties by full-back Leigh Halfpenny to one from England flyhalf Owen Farrell, Wales surged ahead through a try by Cuthbert.

That put them 17-3 in front and minutes later Farrell missed his second penalty in three attempts.

Dan Biggar added a drop-goal before Cuthbert stormed in for another try, with flyhalf Biggar completing the rout with a penalty.

This was Wales’s second victory in a row over England, with the Welsh the only side to defeat the English in Six Nations action since Stuart Lancaster became coach of the Red Rose brigade in 2012.