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Wales break record against hapless Japanese

Colin Charvis scored four tries in Wales' historic win over Japan tonight
Colin Charvis scored four tries in Wales' historic win over Japan tonight

Wales recorded the biggest win in their international history tonight as they destroyed a hapless Japan running out 98-0 winners in the end.

Captain Colin Charvis led the way, scoring four of his team's 14 tries - a record for a Welsh forward - to help his team end their four-Test autumn series in scintillating style.

Centre Gavin Henson kicked all 14 conversions, another Welsh Test record, with Wales eclipsing their 91-point winning margin against Portugal in a World Cup qualifier 10 years ago, when they triumphed 102-11 in Lisbon.

The Japanese, crushed 100-8 by Scotland in Perth earlier this month and defeated away to Romania six days ago, were given another harsh lesson in what has been a difficult autumn for them.

Wales toyed with their opponents throughout the game. Apart from Charvis' contribution, there wasa hat-trick for centre Tom Shanklin, while wing Shane Williams (2), full-back Rhys Williams (2), hooker Mefin Davies, scrum-half Gareth Cooper and prop Gethin Jenkins also touched down.

The massive win for Welsh sets up a an mouth watering Six Nations Championship opener against world champions England in Cardiff on February 5.

It took Wales less than four minutes to open their account, and they struckwith a try of efficient simplicity.

Japanese full-back Ryohei Miki made a hash of gathering the ball inside his own 22, and after gaining only limited distance with his eventual touch-finder, Wales drove a lineout and Charvis stretched over to score.

Jenkins galloped over for Wales' eighth try before half-time, and Henson's conversion took the hosts past the half-century mark by half-time.

Welsh boss Mike Ruddock surprisingly opted against making any interval substitutions, and Wales were on their way again inside five minutes of the restart as Charvis showed the Japanese defence a clean pair of heels to register his fourth touchdown.

The visitors enjoyed their best spell during a disjointed third quarter, keeping Wales scoreless for 10 minutes until Cooper darted through a yawning gap.

Ruddock then opted for a double front-row switch, sending on Dragons hooker Steve Jones and Ospreys prop Adam Jones, and Wales immediately scored again, Shane Williams touching down.

Wales went all-out for the century, but South African referee Tappe Henning's final whistle spared Japan that ultimate embarrassment after Morgan had a try disallowed.

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