BBC SPORT REPORTS

Scotland (3) 13
Tries: Evans Con: Paterson Pens: Paterson 2
Wales (16) 26
Tries: Shanklin, AW Jones, Halfpenny, Williams Pens: S Jones 2
By David Dulin



Six Nations champions Wales began the defence of their crown by comfortably beating Scotland at Murrayfield.
Wales claimed two of their four tries via Tom Shanklin and Alun Wyn Jones in a devastating eight-minute first-half spell with Scotland reduced to 14 men.
Prop Geoff Cross, who injured himself taking out Lee Byrne in the air, was yellow-carded and then stretchered off.
Leigh Halfpenny and Shane Williams added further Welsh scores before a Max Evans try sparked a late home rally.
Despite taking their foot off the gas in the final quarter, the champions will head back to Cardiff in good shape for the visit of England next Saturday, while Scotland travel to Paris to face France.
They overcame the huge blow of losing captain Ryan Jones in the run-up to the game afterhe failed a fitness test on a calf strain, Dafydd Jones starting the game on the blind-side flank.
Scotland showed the more encouraging signs early on but Warren Gatland's side started to gain confidence and looked dangerous on the attack.
They were ahead after 12 minutes when Scotland number eight Simon Taylor held on to the ball and Stephen Jones made the most of a straightforward penalty inside the 22.
Falling behind seemed to spur on the hosts who then cranked up the pressure, but their game was ripped apart by a hammer blow 20 minutes in.
Prop Cross left the pitch on a stretcher after coming out worse from a dangerous challenge on the air-borne Byrne.
He was not allowed to be replaced for 10 minutes as referee Alain Rolland handed out a yellow card for the offence.
Then wing Simon Webster had to go off after failing to recover from an earlier challenge on Wales stand-in captain Martyn Williams.

But Wales were in no mood to offer sympathy and made the most of their one-man advantage by scoring two tries.
Good build-up and handling led to Byrne off-loading to Shanklin to claim his 19th try for his country.
And Wales demonstrated the power of their pack when they decimated the Scottish scrum, driving them off the ball, and it was Wyn Jones who eventually went over.
They had to settle for a 13-0 lead as Jones missed both conversions.
Scotland's record points-scorer, Chris Paterson, a surprise omission for the starting XV, made the most impact for Scotland on his arrival for the injured Webster.
First he clawed three points back from a penalty, taking his tally to 696 and then he came within half-a-metre of the try-line.

But Wales were able to soak up the pressure and finish the half with another three points when Scotland were penalised for handling in the ruck.
It took just 48 seconds after the restart for Wales to extend their 16-3 lead with a third try, sparked by a great Jamie Roberts run through the Scottish defence.
The ball was switched to the right and Shane Williams offloaded to Cardiff Blues wing Halfpenny who dived over in the corner on his Six Nations debut. Jones once again failed with his kick.
Paterson did reduce the deficit again with a penalty after Andy Powell had his hands in the ruck.
But Scotland were not testing the Welsh defence it did not take long for Wales to claim their fourth try.
Jones offloaded to Roberts, before switching left and eventually finding Shane Williams to record his 45th international score.
Martyn Williams was sin-binned late on for deliberately knocking on and Scotland made the most of it by getting their first try through Max Evans after some good build-up work.
The hosts did continue to press but left it too late to really threaten the holders' lead.
Scotland: Southwell, Webster, Cairns, Morrison, Lamont, Godman, Blair, Jackson, Ford, Cross, White, J. Hamilton, Hogg, Taylor, Barclay.
Replacements: Paterson for Webster (21), M. Evans for Cairns (52), Cusiter for Blair (62), Hall for Ford (63), Dickinson for Cross (33), Brown for Hogg (73), Gray for Barclay (55).
Wales: Byrne, Halfpenny, Roberts, Shanklin, S. Williams, S. Jones, Phillips, Jenkins, Rees, A. Jones, Gough, A. Jones, R. Jones, M. Williams, Powell.
Replacements: Bishop for Roberts (62), Davies for S. Williams (72), Hook for S. Jones (63), Peel for Phillips (62), Yapp for Jenkins (62), Bennett for Rees (62), Charteris for Gough (64).
Att: 63,000
Ref: A Rolland (Ireland).

This article was originally posted on 8-Feb-2009, 17:30 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 8-Feb-2009, 17:39.