Thomas celebrates his try. (Getty Images)

Click here for full match report
Click here for minute-by-minute report
Click here for full match stats
Click here for post-match reaction
Click here for updated standings
Click here for photo gallery
Click here for more Six Nations headlines

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

Full-back 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.

Wings 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, who is returning home to New Zealand to take up a coaching post with the All Blacks, had won just two of his previous 13 games in the championship since taking over just over two years ago.

The game at the Millennium Stadium was also a memorable one for veteran lock Gareth Llewellyn, who was drawing level on a record 87 Welsh caps with Neil Jenkins.

Wales saw plenty of early ball, although it was not until the eighth minute when they managed to put a threatening move together. Left wing Shane Williams chipped ahead but Italian scrum-half Paul Griffen gathered to snuff out the danger.

Welsh pressure eventually forced the visitors into conceding a 10th-minute penalty which outside-half Stephen Jones converted to give his side the lead.

Jones increased the lead six minutes later with another penalty following a powerful run from number eight Dafydd Jones.

Skipper Colin Charvis made a 20-metre burst through the midfield, with the break forcing Italy into conceding another penalty but this time Jones was off-target.

Wales fired into life just before the half-hour when right-wing 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 full-back Gonzalo Canale.

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

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

Centre 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, yet Wales still went into the interval with a comfortable 16-0 lead.

Italy finally got on the scoreboard three minutes in the second period when outside-half Roland de Marigny landed a comfortable penalty.

But the same player missed a much more difficult kick just minutes later, as did Jones when presented with an opportunity from 45 metres out. De Marigny then missed a second chance at reducing the deficit.

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, unlucky to miss out on a starting place to Harris, rounded off a slick and stunning move just moments after replacing the Cardiff player.

Centre 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.