15 Jan 2014

Gatland sticks with tried and true in Six Nations

11:28 am on 15 January 2014

The Wales rugby coach Warren Gatland announced an experienced 32-man squad for their Six Nations title defence including the injury doubts Jonathan Davies and captain Sam Warburton.

Warburton has not played since the defeat by Australia in November in which he suffered a shoulder injury but the flanker is expected to be available from the start of the tournament next month.

Davies, who has a pectoral injury, will miss the first three games as Wales start their bid to win an unprecedented third outright Six Nations title in a row.

Wales will host Italy at the Millennium Stadium on February 1.

Wales:

Forwards: Paul James (Bath), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ken Owens(Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton Capt (Cardiff Blues), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)

Backs: Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets)