Wales won a third Grand Slam in eight seasons by beating France 16-9 at Millennium Stadium yesterday, foreshadowing a new era of Six Nations dominance like the country's all-conquering team of the 1970s.
Winger Alex Cuthbert scored a first-half solo try and fullback Leigh Halfpenny kicked 11 points as Wales demonstrated a blend of grit and expansive rugby against a limited French team that displayed resolute defense but only belatedly showed any ambition.
Wales also won the Grand Slam in 2005 and 2008, and this latest triumph in winning away in Ireland and England to complete the Triple Crown echoes the dominance of the Welsh team from 1969-79.
In that period, Wales won the old Five Nations seven times — including three Grand Slams — and shared the title twice more, losing only seven matches in 11 years and not a single one at home.
Flanker Dan Lydiate's work at the breakdown and covering defense, Cuthbert's tackle-busting surges on the flanks and in midfield and scrumhalf Mike Phillips' composure were instrumental in Wales' 11th Grand Slam — one short of England's record mark.
Wales also avenged its semifinal loss to France at the 2011 Rugby World Cup when Warburton was sent off for a dangerous tackle.
Halfpenny, who at the World Cup missed a penalty on fulltime from halfway which would have put his team into the final, landed a crucial kick from a similar position that gave Wales a 13-6 advantage in the 53rd minute yesterday.
"We knew they were going to be good, they've played well all championship," center Jamie Roberts said. "The occasion didn't get to us as much as they would have hoped. The coach (Warren Gatland) has given us freedom to go out and play."
Italy passed the Six Nations rugby wooden spoon back to Scotland when they beat the visitors 13-6 at Stadio Olimpico.
The last-place decider was not easy on the eye, as both winless teams compounded errors with poor decisions and execution. Scotland, which should have beaten England and France, came to Rome in better form but produced its worst effort of the tournament.
Italy dominated territory and the lineouts, while the Scots hardly threatened Italy's 22-meter line, let alone the tryline, and played for 20 minutes with a man in the sin-bin.
During the first of the sin-bins given to center Nick de Luca, Italy took advantage by scoring the game's only try to winger Giovambattista Venditti just after halftime. That put Italy 10-3 ahead, but the result wasn't certain until Kris Burton's dropped goal three minutes from the end.
After holding the wooden spoon for four straight years, Italy handed it back to its previous owner, Scotland.
The Scots finished the Six Nations without a win for the first time since 2004, and has lost seven successive matches for the first time since 1998.
Scotland coach Andy Robinson, who has won only twice in the Six Nations in three years, said he will undertake a review before deciding whether to continue under contract to the 2015 World Cup.