Wales name strong squad for Six Nations
Warren Gatland has named an experienced squad for Wales' defence of the Six Nations.
Twenty-eight members of Gatland's 32-man party have played a part in previous championship wins, while the group also contains a host of players who featured in the British and Irish Lions' successful tour of Australia in 2013.
Sam Warburton, who is recovering from a shoulder problem, will again lead Wales, while prop Gethin Jenkins has been included despite injuring his knee playing for Cardiff Blues in the Heineken Cup at the weekend.
Halfback Rhodri Williams is also in the squad after impressing in the November internationals, while Rhys Webb returns to the international scene after injury.
Wales, who begin the tournament with a home game against Italy on February 1, could become the first side to win the Six Nations title outright for a third year in a row, and Gatland is excited by the players he has at his disposal.
"We have got an opportunity to create history and that is something we will focus on and something that will give us extra motivation," the head coach said.
"We have got the three games at home and two tough away games but when we won the Grand Slam in 2008 and 2012 we had these fixtures so we know it can be done.
"The Six Nations is always a tough competition, you need a little bit of luck and momentum and that's why we need to start well against Italy first up.
"We've picked a pretty experienced squad and kept it fairly tight at this stage."
The Wales squad for the Six Nations in full:
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 (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).
