Scotland record an emphatic 42-0 win over Romania at Murrayfield to keep the pressure on Italy and further improve their chances of reaching the World Cup quarter finals.

Flanker Ali Hogg scored a hat-trick of tries, while fullback Rory Lamont added two and Chris Paterson took one plus 12 points with the boot to secure the impressive win.

Scotland, who have the advantage of playing two of their four pool games at home in Edinburgh, made a bright start to the match scoring their opening try within 90 seconds.

Paterson spotted the gap in the Romanian defence putting up the chip which he chased himself. The bounce undoubtedly helped the wing but there was no denying Paterson's quick thinking and firm hands and he dived for the ball touching down before adding the conversion to start the match in perfect fashion.

Romania got their best chance to get on the scoreboard just three minutes later when Jim Hamilton was caught offside for Scotland, but Ionut Dimofte's kick had neither the direction nor the length needed letting the home side off the hook.

Iulian Dimitrus was the strongest aspect of Romania's defence all night stopping a rampant Paterson from adding a second try in the seven minute before collecting a Simon Webster chip that Rory Lamont was chasing with intensity.

Dan Parks' set up Scotland's second try with his first significant touch of the match landing an inch perfect kick just metres from the line to set up a line-out and push for the line.

Although Romania managed to stop the first maul, it was judged to have been by illegal methods leaving Scotland with a second attempt. This time they made no mistake driving for the line before Hogg crashed over for his first. Paterson again added the extras without difficulty.

Romania did manage signs of the play that frustrated Italy in Marseille a week ago but rarely looked threatening on the attack against a Scotland side brimming with confidence.

Indeed Romania were barely able to stop Scotland adding to their two early tries with last-ditch defence being needed to drag down Rory Lamont, Webster and Rob Dewey in the space of a ten minute period in the middle of the first half after all three players made separate breaks through the somewhat inconsistent Romania defence.

It looked only a matter of time until Scotland scored a third try and sure enough they did so just before the half time interval. Dewey was hauled down just metres short of the line but not before the centre was able to find Parks. The scrumhalf had options on his right but offloaded to Rory Lamont who flew over the line unchallenged for his first of the night.

The second half started for Romania in much the same manner as the first had ended with Scotland looking constantly threatening.

Mike Blair skipped past his man as he broke for the line. But, with options outside him, Blair opted to go it alone and was brought down by Catalin Fercu before appearing to just sneak the ball over the line. Television replays showed the ball was just short but the referee had already blown for double movement denying Scotland of the bonus-point fourth try.

It was not to be for long though as Simon Taylor charged down a Valentin Calafeteanu clearance before finding Blair. This time the flyhalf looked for support and found it in the form a Hogg charging in on the wing. It was an easy score for the man-of-the-match who had only to fall over the line after receiving the pass.

Substitute Ionut Tofan gave Romania an added sting in attack but the side could not convert on his kick for the corner and Scotland ran their way out of trouble without difficulty.

Back in their own half Parks made a break for the line before being hauled down by a worryingly high tackle by Marius Tincu. The referee signalled Scotland advantage but it was not needed as Paterson retrieved the ball finding Webster on his left. Webster spotted Hogg on the wing and flung the ball out to him for the flanker to complete his hat-trick.

Although Scotland undoubtedly took their foot of the gas in the latter stages of the match, there was one last score still to be had in the final 10 minutes.

Rory Lamont, outstanding all night for Scotland, received the ball on the half way line before racing the length of the half with unnerving speed to touch down unchallenged.

Paterson, rapidly approaching 600 international points which would leave him as Scotland top scorer of all-time, comfortably put away the conversion to leave Scotland feeling confident going into their crucial group clashes with New Zealand and Italy.

Pippa Davis / Eurosport