Wales swept Italy aside 33-10 to finish its Six Nations campaign in the emphatic fashion coach Warren Gatland had demanded.
Centre James Hook's quickfire try double, a Shane Williams touchdown and 18 points from the boot of first five-eighths Stephen Jones meant Wales comfortably avoided any threat of finishing with this season's wooden spoon.
It must settle for fourth spot - the result of defeats against England, France and Ireland - which confirms a disappointing season just two years after enjoying Grand Slam glory.
Italy, despite a try from lively fullback Luke McLean, was undone in the second period as Wales turned its 12-0 interval advantage into a runaway win.
Wing Mirco Bergamasco slotted a conversion and penalty for the Azzurri, yet they never threatened to record just a second victory in 28 Six Nations away games.
Gatland promised to put his players through pain during the build-up, so angered was he by their tame 27-12 loss against Ireland last weekend, and he saw a response after making five changes.
Wing Tom Prydie's startling promotion to senior duty was the headline selection by Gatland, but he also recalled three fit-again British and Irish Lions in skipper Ryan Jones, halfback Mike Phillips and prop Gethin Jenkins.
Prydie, Wales' youngest international player of all-time at 18 years and 25 years, coped well with the pressure, and it was an afternoon when the home side delivered, even though it made subduing a limited Italian outfit hard work at times.
But there are now far more challenging opponents on the horizon, with world champion South Africa awaiting Wales in early June, followed by two away Tests against New Zealand.
Sam Warburton - Martyn Williams' understudy at openside flanker - gained his first Six Nations start, but Italy coach Nick Mallett lost three injured players less than 48 hours before kick-off in centre Andrea Masi, lock Carlo Del Fava and flanker Paul Derbyshire.
The stadium roof remained open at Mallett's request, but early morning rain relented and conditions were dry, seemingly suiting Wales' renowned running game.
And Prydie was rapidly into the action, completing a crunching tackle on Gonzalo Canale that forced the Italy centre off nursing a rib injury, before testing McLean through a well-placed chip and chase.
Jones then opened Wales' account with an angled penalty, but Italy was unlucky not to draw level when Bergamasco's 40-metre opener bounced back off the post.
Wales, which saw Ian Gough replace injured lock Bradley Davies after 15 minutes, began to exert a degree of territorial dominance, yet was frustrated by Italy securing turnover possession twice in quick succession and clearing any danger.
A second Jones penalty doubled the lead just before Italy lost a second injured player - halfback Pablo Canavosio.
Despite the setbacks though, the visitors defended solidly, albeit with some luck.
Wales looked to have finally breached the Azzurri defence 12 minutes before half-time when Shane Williams sent full-back Lee Byrne over, but referee Wayne Barnes took play back for a penalty he had already awarded the home side.
Italy began to infringe at regular intervals, and Jones completed his penalty hat-trick for a nine-point advantage as Wales reached for the accelerator.
Hook was denied by an unkind bounce after he kicked beyond Italy's last line of defence, and although Jones landed another three-pointer, Wales trooped off unfulfilled.
Despite leading 12-0, it meant that for the fifth successive Six Nations game this