Wales have too much class for plucky Russia

Allan Bateman and Kevin Ellis both made try-scoring returns as Wales cantered to a record-breaking 74-4 victory over a plucky but outclassed Russia in the European Nations Cup at Aberavon yesterday.

The centre Adam Hughes and the Bridgend winger Lenny Woodard both scored hat-tricks as Neil Kelly's men warmed up for next Sunday's match against the world champions, Australia, in Bridgend.

The Welsh ran in 14 tries, seven in each half, to beat their previous best score, a 68-0 win over Papua New Guinea in 1991. Russia had the consolation of scoring the best try of the match through the winger Sergei Dobrynin.