Wales dominated the first half but had only four Stephen Jones penalties to show for their efforts.

Nevertheless that was the first time in the tournament that Warren Gatland's side had a halftime advantage and they were able to kick on after the break.

Orchestrated by the RBS 6 Nations Man of the Match Jones, who finished with a 18-point haul with the boot, Wales wore down a dogged Italian defence.

Hook went over in the 52nd and 57th minutes before Shane Williams added another while Luke McLean added a late consolation score for the Azzurri.

Italy enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening minutes with Craig Gower off target with a drop goal but after losing three players in the build up to the match Nick Mallett suffered yet another injury blow when Gonzalo Canale was forced off after just six minutes.

Just moments later and they were trailing following good work by debutant Tom Prydie - the youngest ever Six Nations international at 18 years and 25 days old - that led to Jones pinging over a penalty.

It was not just Italy who were in the wars and second-row Bradley Davies had to make way for Ian Gough but Jones did double their home side's advantage with a 22nd minute penalty.

After wave after wavesof pressure, Wales thought they had the breakthrough when Williams delayed his pass for Lee Byrne to take it over the line.

The celebrations though immediately fell flat as the eagled-eyed officials spotted a forward pass from the Welsh winger.

But on 32 minutes another Italian discretion, this time for prop Martin Castrogiovanni straying offside, allowed Jones to make it 9-0.

Moments later, only a cruel bounce of the ball stopped Hook collecting his own chip ahead and touching down after Craig Gower sliced his kick but Jones nailed his fourth kick of the game after an Italian offence at the scrum.

The Azzurri needed all hands to the pumps in defence but offered little in attack and that was summed up by a woeful drop goal attempt by Gower just before halftime.

Things did not improve for the visitors after the break as Wales continued to boss the proceedings but seemed to lack the cutting edge to finish off chance after chance.

On 47 minutes, yet another try-scoring opportunity slipped through their grasp as Hook broke through the midfield but could not get his pass away to Prydie as he was dragged into touch.

That though proved just a temporary relief for the visitors as the Millennium Stadium crowd were finally given a try to celebrate.

After spreading the ball wide inside the Italian 22, full-back Lee Byrne dragged enough defenders in for Mike Phillips and Stephen Jones to put Hook through Tito Tebaldi's powder-puff tackle.

With their resistance broken, the Italians were soon reduced to 14 men when Mauro Bergamasco was binned for coming into at the side as Wayne Barnes lost patience with the away side's continual transgressions.

Wales instantly took advantage as No.10 Jones' perfectly timed pass allowed Hook to slide through a gap in an increasingly tiring defence. Jones added his second conversion in quick succession to put Wales 26-0 ahead.

A 63rd minute penalty from Mirco Bergamasco could do little to stem the red tide and just five minutes later Phillips looked destined for the line only to be held up just short .

But winger Williams was on hand to pick up and dive over for probably the simplest of his 51 international tries.

Italy showed a lot of heart to stop the floodgates opening completely and they got a consolation score through full-back McLean's great individual try.

Winger Bergamasco added the extras but that did not take the shine off a much-improved Wales display while the visitors would later discover that the dreaded Wooden Spoon was theirs after Scotland's surprise victory in Dublin.