VIDEO: Wales boss Warren Gatland names squad for RBS 6 Nations Championship says Ireland are favourites

The Welsh boss, who has included Aled Davies’ in his squad, is “a little bit of an unknown quantity.”

Wales’ Six Nations opener is against Ireland in Dublin on February 7, while both England and France will be under the guidance of new coaches in Eddie Jones and Guy Noves, respectively.

Ireland are chasing a hat-trick of Six Nations crowns with head coach Joe Schmidt at the helm, although they go into battle without second-row talisman Paul O’Connell, who has retired from Test rugby, and have also been hit by some injury setbacks.