Wales win Six Nations
Wales are the current reigning Six Nations champions.

Wales face Italy in the opening 2014 Six Nations match at the Millennium Stadium.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is at 2.30pm and is live on BBC One, BBC One HD, BBC Radio 5 live sports extraand online on Saturday 1 February.

Overview

Wales are looking to make it a record third championship in a row as they open their defence at home to Italy.

Unlike others, Warren Gatland's side is absent of fresh faces, making for not only a hugely experienced squad but one which have grown together to dominate over the past four years.

Stand out performances from many of the Welsh squad saw a great number of them awarded a place in last year's series-winning British and Irish Lions squad managed by their man Gatland and surely makes them favourites for this year's Six Nations title.

Italy meanwhile have fast become a force to be reckoned with as they progressed from wooden spoon regulars to finish fourth above both Ireland and France in last year's championship.

Most notably for this opening clash, the Azzurri are missing 30-year-old utility back Mirco Bergamasco whose career was thought to be over after he fractured his kneecap during a Test against Australia in November 2012. Mirco's brother Mauro however starts at openside flanker.

Italy have only beaten Wales on two occasions, the last back in March 2007 but talismanic captain Sergio Parisse's side have become synonymous with Six Nations upsets and there would surely be no greater upset than defeating the defending champions on their own turf.

Teams:

Wales:

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 1 Paul James, 2 Richard Hibbard, 3 Adam Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Toby Faletau.

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Andrew Coombs, 20 Sam Warburton, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 James Hook, 23 Liam Williams.

Italy

15 Luke McLean , 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Michele Rizzo

Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Joshua Furno, 20 Francesco Minto, 21 Tobias Weitz Botes, 22 Luciano Orquera, 23 Tommaso Iannone

What the coaches say:

Warren Gatland: "We are looking for a good start; we started slowly last year and know we need to be ready from the off.

"Italy started last year's tournament with a win over France, so they will be ready on Saturday and we need to start well and build confidence and momentum.

"It's a strong, experienced side, but there was a lot of discussion about the selection which is a great position to be in as a coach.

"We've almost everyone fit for selection which is pretty rare.

"Alun Wyn will lead the side with Sam starting on the bench and he has come through training well."

Jaques Brunel: "We've established this ambition but we remain fragile.

"Traditionally, Italian rugby likes the combat and contact. It was a little more based on defence. Since I arrived I've tried to balance it out, to put more emphasis on the ability to play and create.

"Sometimes we've managed that but then we've broken our balance.

"During the last Six Nations we had that balance between our creativity and our defence but then in the summer and autumn we lost our defence."

Six Nations