Wales stay on course for grand slam with win over Italy

(CNN) -- Wales stayed on course for rugby union's Six Nations grand slam with a 24-3 win over Italy in the Millennium Stadium Saturday.

It made if four wins in four for the Welsh and they will entertain France in Cardiff next Saturday in their final match, which is also likely to decide the championship.

Wales winger Alex Cuthbert, who scored a fine second half try, claimed that thoughts of the grand slam were being kept on hold

"Not at all, we are just taking each game as it comes," he told BBC.

In truth, his side had to work hard to get past bottom side Italy, particularly in the first half as they led only 9-3 at the break with all their points coming from Leigh Halfpenny.

But in the second period they opened up and on the hour mark Jamie Roberts raced clear for a breakaway try, converted by Halfpenny.

Full-back Halfpenny was then controversially sin-binned, but it did not stop the home side from adding to their tally.

Rhys Priestland kicked a penalty and man of the match Cuthbert completed the scoring as he crossed in the corner.

Later, Ireland added to Scotland's woes with a 32-14 win over the visitors in Dublin.

Scotland made a bright start as they led 6-0 through two Greg Laidlaw penalties before Rory Best went over the home side.

Eoin Reddan scored a converted try for Ireland but when Richie Gray crossed for the Scots they were within three.

But that was as close as they got with Andrew Trimble and Fergus McFadden adding further tries for Ireland as they pulled clear.

The result leaves Scotland in a wooden spoon decider against Italy next weekend in Rome, while Ireland travel to Twickenham to face England.

This Sunday sees England take on France in Paris.