Wales are bidding for a historic hat-trick of titles © PA Photos

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Warren Gatland has named a squad brimming with experience for the Wales side hoping for an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title.

In an announcement with no real surprises there were no uncapped players in Gatland's squad of 32, which includes 28 with Championship-winning experience. As well as a third crown in a row, British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton will be aiming to lead Wales to their second Grand Slam title in three years.

Gatland has named a formidable front row, featuring three Lions in Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones and Gethin Jenkins, alongside Scarlets quartet Ken Owen, Emyr Phillips, Rhodri Jones and the recalled Samson Lee. Joining them are Bath prop Paul James and Ryan Bevington of Ospreys. Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Toby Faletau and Dan Lydiate are also included.

Scrum-half Rhodri Williams continues his international rise with selection, while Ospreys No. 9 Rhys Webb returns to the Wales set-up after last featuring in June 2012 along with Racing Metro's Mike Phillips. Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland and James Hook will battle it out for the number 10 jersey, while five Lions make up a formidable back-line contingent.

Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Alex Cuthbert, George North and Leigh Halfpenny join Scott Williams and Liam Williams as Gatland returns to emulate the achievement of deputy Rob Howley in 2013.

"Last year was a fantastic year and I'm really excited to be back involved and this year is going to be a big challenge for us," said Gatland.

"We have got an opportunity to create history and that is something we will focus on and something that will give us extra motivation.

"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.

"Talking to the coaches we were a little bit slow starting last year and we know we need to start well on February 1st.

"We've picked a pretty experienced squad and kept it fairly tight at this stage.

"There is a possibility we may add one or two players in, there are a few younger guys that need a bit of rugby so we were keen for them to stay with the regions.

"Perhaps after the first couple of rounds when they have some more rugby under their belts we may add them into the squad.

"As we did last year which was hugely successful we are going to have the Wales U20 squad come in on Tuesday to train with us and we both got a huge amount from that. It gives us plenty of bodies and a good chance for those boys to come and train with the senior squad.

"There is nothing better than playing in the best stadium in world with the Welsh fans behind us singing."

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).