Wales are hoping to make Six Nations history by targeting a third successive Championship title.

Warren Gatland’s team have been installed as marginal favourites to win the 2014 tournament, narrowly ahead of England, and continue their recent domination of European rugby.

The champions have been dogged by injuries to key players Jonathan Davies and Gethin Jenkins, while Ryan Jones has been ruled out of the entire competition.

But they have been lifted by the news that skipper Sam Warburton is expected to make an imminent return from the shoulder nerve damage that has sidelined him since November.

Wales completed last year’s Six Nations triumph with a stunning 30-3 victory over England at the Millennium Stadium, a result that continues to haunt Stuart Lancaster’s side.

The rout led to suggestions Lancaster must conduct a complete overhaul of his team if England are to challenge for silverware, but they performed well during the autumn.

While Wales failed to beat southern hemisphere giants Australia and South Africa, England dispatched the Wallabies and lost narrowly to New Zealand.

The March 9 showdown between the rivals promises to be a fascinating clash that continues the process of teeing up their critical group showdown at the 2015 World Cup.

England have been beset by injury, losing eight players including wrecking ball centre Manu Tuilagi and world-class prop Alex Corbisiero, and are as unsettled as ever behind the scrum.

The midfield and wings will have a very raw look, but Lancaster can at least console himself with the presence of a muscular pack capable of mixing it with anyone.

England will be hard to beat as they continue to strengthen their national identity under Lancaster’s shrewd guidance, but there are only 20 games left until the 2015 World Cup to establish a meaningful attack.

Ireland’s Six Nations will serve as a fare-well parade for Brian O’Driscoll, who is retiring at the end of the season.

A successful tournament would be a magnificent way for Irish great O’Driscoll to sign off, especially after last summer’s British and Irish Lions series against Australia ended with his axing for the decisive final Test when he was expected to lead the team.

Ireland were abysmal in last year’s Six Nations, losing to Italy for the first time in the Championship to finish second from bottom, but have steely competitor Paul O’Connell at the helm this time.

France endured an even more disastrous tournament as they finished with the wooden spoon.

The team underwent an overhaul following a raft of retirements after the 2011 World Cup and the pain experienced last year is expected to give way to a brighter outlook.

France are hamstrung by the number of overseas players in the Top 14, which means they enter the tournament without a first choice goalkicker at his club, and have limited options at tighthead prop, fly-half and wing. So much hangs on their February 1 opener against England in Paris.

Scotland finished third last year but are expected to battle it out for the wooden spoon with Italy with their February 22 meeting in Rome potentially decisive.

Six Nations fixtures

Saturday, February 1
Wales vs Italy (15.30)
France vs England (18.00)

Sunday, February 2
Ireland vs Scotland (16.00)

Saturday, February 8
Ireland vs Wales (15.30)
Scotland vs England (18.00)

Sunday, February 9
France vs Italy (16.00)

Friday, February 21
Wales vs France (21.00)

Saturday, February 22
Italy vs Scotland (14.30)
England vs Ireland (17.00)

Saturday, March 8
Ireland vs Italy (15.30)
Scotland vs France (18.00)

Sunday, March 9
England vs Wales (16.00)

Saturday, March 15
Italy vs England (13.30)
Wales vs Scotland (15.45)
France vs Ireland (18.00)

Championship records

• England and Wales have jointly won most championship titles, but England have claimed most Grand Slams (12) and Triple Crowns (23).

• Biggest victory: England 80 Italy 23, Twickenham 2001.

• Most appearances: 63 – Ronan O’Gara (Ireland).

• Most tries: 26 – Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland).

• Most team points in a season: 229 – England 2001.

• Most individual career points: 557 – Ronan O’Gara (Ireland).

• Most individual points in a single championship: 89 – Jonny Wilkinson (England) 2001.

• Most points in one game: 35 – Jonny Wilkinson (England) versus Italy 2001.

• Most team tries in a season: 29 – England 2001.

• Most tries in one single game: five – George Lindsay, (Scotland) versus Wales 1887.