WALES, greeted almost like conquering heroes after their World Cup exploits by an expectant home crowd, carried on where they left off in Australia as they got their Six Nations campaign off to a winning start.

Not since 1997 had Wales won their opening game in the championship, and after entering the arena like gladiators, they played some spectacular rugby.

It didn't last, but the signs were there that this can become a special team if only they can stiffen their pack.

They did indeed miss hard- core forwards Robin McBryde and Robert Sidoli, which accounted for the falling off in performance after an hour.

Before that Wales had signalled loud and clear that the World Cup performances against New Zealand and England were no flash in the pan as they tore into the Scots.

Two tries arrived in the first 14 minutes, and a third effort, disallowed rather harshly for crossing, would have ranked as the try of the season.

Coach Steve Hansen promised surprises, and we weren't disappointed with wing-cum-full back Rhys Williams operating as an outside-half in one try-scoring move and tight head prop Adam Jones appearing as a left wing to score the second try.

And Gareth Thomas was far from being the risk many had predicted as he, too, showed his World Cup form out of his normal position at full back was no flash in the pan.

But the real catalyst was Iestyn Harris, the player who pulled the strings. He has now developed into a high-class inside-centre who calls the shots as he weaves in and out, wrongfooting defenders, and then puts colleagues into space with long cut-out passes.

And openside flanker Martyn Williams justified his recall as he proved an ever-present support, playing a major part in the first two tries.

The first came after just two minutes 56 seconds as Harris made a half-break and Gareth Thomas and Martyn Williams handled before Rhys Williams stormed over.

Eleven minutes later Wales were over again after Rhys Williams popped up at outside- half to make the first cut, Harris and Stephen Jones handled as did Gareth Thomas and Martyn Williams again, with Adam Jones supplying the finishing touch, going over in some style.

Then came the try that never was as Wales threatened to run riot, the shackles off.

Prop Duncan Jones, back to form and fitness, made the initial run, Rhys Williams sparkled again and then Shane Williams took over as the crowd roared at the magnificence of the attack, only for Gareth Thomas to be pulled back for crossing after he roared over the line.

No try, but the intent was there, and it left the 73,913 crowd crying out for more.

All they got in the rest of the first half were two Jones penalties to add to an earlier conversion for an 18-3 lead.

And though Rhys Williams pounded over, this time in the left corner after a lovely run by Harris just four minutes into the second half, that was disappointingly the end of the Welsh scoring.

Shane Williams was over in the same corner after another Harris opening, only to put a foot in touch, but Wales ran out of gas and, more important, were starved of possession, so were unable to make any further impact.

The Scottish pack, boosted by the arrival of Jason White, stepped up a gear and gave Wales endless problems in the line-out. This proved Wales' biggest problem area, as Mefin Davies and his jumpers failed to hit it off in the manner McBryde and Sidoli probably would have done.

In fact, the Scots had the better of the final half-hour to signal problems for Wales in the tougher games which lie ahead, because the next three teams - Ireland, France and England - will be nothing like as inept in attack as the Scots were.

Scott Murray and Stuart Grimes won superior line-out possession, towering Cameron Mather and Simon Taylor frustrated Wales and the Scottish scrum was pretty solid as well.

All of which meant that the match tailed off in terms of entertainment value, and Scottish pressure was finally rewarded in the final minute when Taylor forced his way across after heavy pressure.

Chris Paterson, who had been switched to full back in the general reshuffle after Brendan Laney was replaced, converted to add to an early dropped goal.

So it all ended up frustratingly for Wales.

There was delight at such a long-awaited opening championship win, and satisfaction at some glorious running and handling, but ultimately disappointment that the job wasn't really finished.

It will get tougher from here on in, and some important decisions have to be made this week about the composition of the pack. For the same again will not be good enough in Dublin next Sunday.

Wales: G Thomas, R Williams, S Parker, I Harris, S Williams, S Jones, G Cooper (D Peel 78), D Jones, M Davies (H Bennett 65), A Jones (G Jenkins 31), M Cockbain, G Llewellyn (M Owen 51), C Charvis, captain (D Jones 71), D Jones (J Thomas 62), M Williams. Scorers -- tries: R Williams (2), A Jones; conversion: S Jones; penalties: Jones (2). Scotland: B Hinshelwood, S Danielli, T Philip, B Laney (D Parks 44), A Henderson (S Webster 62), C Peterson (captain), G Cusiter (M Blair 71), T Smith, G Bulloch ( Kerr 75), B Douglas (R Russell 50), S Murray, S Grimes, C Mather, A Hogg (J White 50), S Taylor. Scorers -- try: S Taylor; conversion: D Paterson; dropped goal: Paterson.