Wales ran Romania ragged at the Millennium Stadium as flanker Colin Charvis and wing Dafydd James led a predictable points spree.

The Lions pair each scored hat-tricks to share six of Wales' 11 tries, while Stephen Jones kicked 26 points as the outclassed Romanians subsided after leading 6-3 midway through the first half.

Scorers:

Wales (27) 81: Tries: James 3, C. Wyatt, Charvis 3, Bateman, B. Williams 2, C. Quinnell. Cons: S. Jones 10. Pens: S. Jones 2. Romania (9) 9: Pens: Tofan 3. Att: 20,400

It was Wales' record victory in six meetings with Romania, who return to Britain during the autumn for a daunting Twickenham appointment with England.

Charvis and James apart, substitute hooker Barry Williams touched down twice and there were also tries for lock Chris Wyatt, centre Allan Bateman and replacement lock Craig Quinnell.

Jones landed 10 conversions and two penalties, playing most of the game at fly-half after 19-year-old Gavin Henson went off injured.

New Zealand-born flanker Brett Sinkinson, drummed out of Test rugby following the so-called Grannygate scandal 18 months ago, was among the replacements, having now qualified for Wales through residency rules.

Dafydd James also claimed a hat-trick

He received a huge ovation though when he went on after 51 minutes, officially ending his spell in the international rugby wilderness.

Scrum-half Rob Howley had attracted similar applause earlier when he celebrated winning his 50th Wales cap by leading the team out onto the pitch.

With the stadium roof closed, conditions were perfect for running rugby, and Wales wing Gareth Thomas twice threatened Romania's defence inside the opening six minutes.

Romania were pinned inside their 22-metre zone as Wales strove for the breakthrough, and it arrived after 18 minutes when Jones landed a penalty from just inside his own half.

The visitors' reply was immediate though, fly-half Ionut Tofan cancelling out Jones' strike and then edging Romania ahead by booting an angled 40-metre kick.

Wales lost the injured Henson, which meant Jones switching to fly-half, Thomas taking over at centre and replacement Rhys Williams featuring on the wing.

Stephen Jones finished with 26 points

But the reshuffle did not disrupt Wales, and following powerful approach work from back-row men Geraint Lewis and Charvis, Thomas sent James over for a try that Jones improved.

The impressive Tofan completed a quickfire penalty hat-trick to cut Wales' advantage, yet the home forwards responded through a concerted drive and Wyatt touched down, Jones' conversion making it 17-9 after 30 minutes.

With the Romanians starting to make glaring defensive errors, Charvis added a third try just before the break, Jones again converting, and Wales were comfortably in control.

They put the issue beyond doubt by rattling up 19 points in nine minutes during a hopelessly one-sided third quarter.

Bateman, Charvis and James all capitalised on Romania's escalating defensive deficiencies before Charvis completed his hat-trick of touchdowns by clocking up Wales' half century with almost 20 minutes remaining.

Barry Williams enjoyed his return to a Wales shirt

Williams pounced for try number eight, before his fellow replacement Quinnell scored, then Williams again and James completed the rout.

What lessons Wales coach Graham Henry has learnt ahead of the delayed Six Nations clash with Ireland on 13 October must be debatable given the one-sided encounter.

But after a shaky start, Henry will be pleased that his players sorted out the early rustiness before taking charge.

Wales: Kevin Morgan (Swansea); Gareth Thomas (Bridgend), Allan Bateman (Neath), Stephen Jones (Llanelli), Dafydd James (Bridgend); Gavin Henson (Swansea), Rob Howley (Cardiff); Iestyn Thomas (Ebbw Vale), Robin McBryde (Llanelli), David Young (Cardiff, capt), Chris Wyatt (Llanelli), Andrew Moore (Swansea), Colin Charvis (Swansea), Geraint Lewis (Swansea), Gavin Thomas (Bath). Replacements: Barry Williams (Neath), Chris Anthony (Newport), Craig Quinnell (Cardiff), Brett Sinkinson (Neath), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli), Adrian Durston (Bridgend), Rhys Williams (Cardiff).

Romania: G Brezoianu (Bordeaux-Begles); I Teodorescu (Cluj University), N Oprea (Dinamo Bucuresti), C Lupu (Dinamo Bucuresti), V Ghiol (Dinamo Bucuresti); I Tofan (Steau Bucuresti), L Sirby (Steau Bucuresti); D Dima (Castres), S Demci (Dinamo Bucuresti), M Socaciu (Rovigo), M Dragomir (Dinamo Bucuresti), V Nedelcu (Dinamo Bucuresti), M Bejan (Rulmentul Birlad), D Iacob (Farul Constanta), A Petrache (Dinamo Bucuresti, captain).

Referee: Alan Rowlands (Ireland).