Scotland - Saturday 6th February, 4.50pm - Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Italy - Sunday 14th February, 3pm (local time) - Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Ireland - Saturday 27th February, 4.50pm - Twickenham, London
Wales - Saturday 12th March, 4pm - Twickenham, London
France - Saturday 19th March, 9pm (local time) - Stade de France, Paris

A disastrous Rugby World Cup saw England become the first host nation to be eliminated at the group stage in the history of the tournament after slumping to defeats to Wales and Australia.

New coach Eddie Jones is the man tasked with picking up the team, but the Australian will surely not be taking anything for granted.

His first squad from Eddie Jones has already generated plenty of debate, with Sale forward Josh Beaumont the pick of seven uncapped players to be called up, although the likes of Dylan Hartley and Chris Ashton add some valuable experience, with the former being named the new Captain.

The most notable omission is arguably that of Beaumont’s in-form club teammate Danny Cipriani, who misses out alongside Tom Youngs, Brad Barritt, Tom Wood and Geoff Parling.

Player to watch - Dylan Hartley

An obvious choice, but all eyes will be on the newly appointed captain. Will he lead by example? Will he keep his cool? Courtney Lawes has publicly declared that England will be at their 'confrontational best' with Hartley at the helm and with many pundits thinking his confrontational manner will bring the fear factor back for England, this tournament will be a testing one for both him and the man who selected him. 

Full Squad

Forwards: Dan Cole, Paul Hill, Matt Mullan, Joe Marler, Henry Thomas (injury replacement reversal for Kieran Brookes), Mako Vunipola, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jamie George, Dylan Hartley, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Josh Beaumont, Jack Clifford, James Haskell, Chris Robshaw, Matt Kvesic, Billy Vunipola.

Backs: Mike Brown, Alex Goode, Chris Ashton (Samesa Rokoduguni brought in as a replacement to cover his suspension), Jack Nowell , Anthony Watson, Marland Yarde, Elliot Daly, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph, Sam Hill, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Danny Care, Ben Youngs.

Italy - Saturday 6th February, 3.25pm (local time) - Stade de France, Paris
Ireland - Saturday 13th February, 3.25pm (local time) -  Stade de France, Paris
Wales - Friday 26th February, 8.05pm - Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Scotland - Sunday 13th March, 3pm - Murrayfield, Edinburgh
England - Saturday 19th March, 9pm (local time) - Stade de France, Paris

France have arguably been one of rugby’s greatest underachievers in recent years. After claiming an impressive Grand Slam in 2010, the team has largely failed to hit the same heights, finishing fourth in the last two tournaments.

The major talking point to emerge from the 31-man squad announced by new coach Guy Noves is the omission of Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud.

Noves had previously excluded the 27-year old from two informal team gatherings, hinting that his side need to look to the future.

"We want to build a team who will be able to improve a lot and not taking players who would not be with us in two or three years," Noves said.

Other big names to miss out include Rory Kockott, Sebastien Tillous-Borde and Noa Nakaitaci.

His reign has also seen the captaincy passed on to Guilhem Guirado, while Rugby Sevens star Virimi Vakatawa joins seven other uncapped players. Jean-Marc Doussain is back in the squad and could make his first Six Nations appearance in two years.

Player to watch - Guilhem Guirado 

As well as a revamped squad, the new era for France has also seen Guilhem Guirado handed the captaincy. 

Having put in a series of impressive performances for Toulon, the hooker is a strong choice to lead a team that will still view themselves as serious championship contenders. 

Full Squad

Forwards: Uini Atonio, Eddy Ben Arous, Antoine Burban, Yacouba Camara, Camille Chat, Damien Chouly, Alessandre Flanquart, Kevin Gourdon, Guilhem Guirado (captain), Paul Jedrasiak, Wenceslas Lauret, Yoann Maestri, Louis Picamoles, Jefferson Poirot, Rabah Slimani, Sebastien Vahaamahina

Backs: Sebastien Bezy, Hugo Bonneval, Jonathan Danty, Jean-Marc Doussain, Alexandre Dumoulin, Benjamin Fall, Gael Fickou, Wesley Fofana (injury replacement Teddy Thomas), Remi Lamerat, Maxime Machenaud, Maxime Medard, Morgan Parra, Jules Plisson, Scott Spedding, Virimi Vakatawa

Wales - Sunday 7th February, 3pm - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
France - Saturday 13th February, 3.25pm (local time) - Stade de France, Paris
England - Saturday 27th February, 4.50pm - Twickenham, London
Italy - Saturday 12th March, 1.30pm - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Scotland - Saturday 19th March, 5pm - Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Ireland come into this year’s tournament looking to make history by becoming the first team to retain the title for a third consecutive year.

Paul O’Connell was a key part of both successes, but his retirement following the World Cup means Ulster hooker Rory Best will take the role of captain, in a side that will be full of confidence.

The bulk of Ireland’s World Cup squad have been given the nod, although Joe has included four uncapped players – CJ Stander, Ultan Dillane, Stuart McCloskey and Josh van der Flier.

Cian Healy, Mike Ross and Chris Henry, have been omitted as they continue their recovery from injury, but could still return following the opening two games.

Tommy Bowe, Peter O'Mahony, Iain Henderson and Dan Tuohy are also sidelined through injury, while Darren Cave is not named despite edging closer to match fitness.

Robbie Henshaw makes the cut, despite having been out for six weeks with a broken hand.

Player to watch - Rory Best

Like France, Ireland come into this competition with a new captain in the form of hooker Rory Best, who's been an ever-present member of the team since earning his first cap in 2005.  

The forward has impressed ever since, with his recent form for Ulster likely to be seen as particularly pleasing, with the team currently the only Irish province to be lighting up the European stage. The 33-year old has some big shoes to fill, but is arguably the logical choice to lead the side. 

Full squad

Forwards: Rory Best, Richardt Strauss, Rob Herring, Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, James Cronin, Ultan Dillane, Nathan White, Marty Moore, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, Mike McCarthy, Donnacha Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, CJ Stander, Sean O'Brien, Tommy O'Donnell, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Heaslip.

Backs: Conor Murray, Eoin Reddan, Kieron Marmion, Jonny Sexton, Paddy Jackson, Ian Madigan, Robbie Henshaw, Jared Payne, Stuart McCloskey, Luke Marshall, Luke Fitzgerald, Keith Earls, Dave Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Rob Kearney, Simon Zebo.

France - Saturday 6th February, 3.25pm (local time) - Stade de France, Paris
England - Sunday 14th February, 3pm (local time) - Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Scotland - Saturday 27th February, 3.25pm (local time) - Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Ireland - Saturday 12th March, 1.30pm - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Wales - Saturday 19th March, 2.30pm - Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Like England, Italy failed to progress beyond the group stages of the Rugby World Cup, and will surely be expecting another tough Six Nations campaign having been left with the Wooden Spoon ten times since joining the tournament in 2000.

Coach Jaques Brunel appears keen to bring a new era to the team, calling up ten uncapped players to a side looking to build on a fifth-place finish last year.

Zebre trio Andrea Lovotti, Van Schalwyk and colleague Jacopo Sarto - the younger brother of winger Leonardo – have all earned call-ups.

Matteo Zanusso and Ornel Gega also make the cut while uncapped Treviso back rower Abraham Steyn also gets the nod.

Captain Sergio Parisse and veteran Alessandro Zanni offer some experience in the back row, while young fly-half Carlo Canna will hope to build on a promising World Cup performance.

Player to watch - Sergio Parisse

The veteran captain is set to enter his 12th Six Nations tournament and is considered one of Italy's greatest players of all time. With ten uncapped players called upon this year, the number 8's experience could prove valuable.

Full squad

Forwards: Martin Castrogiovanni, Dario Chistolini, Lorenzo Cittadini, Andrea Lovotti, Matteo Zanusso, Ornel Gega, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Valerio Bernabo, George Fabio Biagi, Marco Fuser, Francesco Minto, Sergio Parisse, Jacopo Sarto, Abraham Steyn, Andries Van Schalkwyk, Alessandro Zanni.

Backs: Edoardo Gori, Guglielmo Palazzani, Carlo Canna, Edoardo Padovani, Mattia Bellini, Giulio Bisegni, Michele Campagnaro, Tommaso Castello, Gonzalo Garcia, Kelly Haimona, Luke McLean, David Odiete, Andrea Pratichetti, Leonardo Sarto.
 

England - Saturday 6th February, 4.50pm - Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Wales - Saturday 13th February, 4.50pm - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Italy - Saturday 27th February, 3.25pm (local time) - Stadio Olimpico, Rome
France - Sunday 13th March, 3pm - Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Ireland - Saturday 19th March, 5pm - Aviva Stadium, Dublin
 
After their controversial quarter-final exit at the hands of Australia at the Rugby World Cup, their strong performance will surely give them the confidence to improve on their Wooden Spoon campaign of last year.

Props Zander Fagerson and Rory Sutherland could be in line for their first caps after impressing boss Vern Cotter, but there is no place for Glasgow’s Ryan Wilson, who was recently cited for grabbing the testicles of an opponent during his side’s defeat to Northampton.

Cotter insisted the decision to omit Wilson had come before the incident, adding: "We're happy with the way he has been improving but we feel that the [other] players are playing better than he is at the moment.”

Experienced Scarlets back-row John Barclay is back in the squad after being overlooked during Scotland’s impressive Rugby World Cup campaign.

Player to watch - John Hardie

One of the star performers of the World Cup, John Hardie was a key part of Scotland's back row.  The New Zealand-born flanker has shown little sign of going off the boil either, putting in a series of strong performances for Glasgow Warriors. 

Full Squad

Forwards: Alasdair Dickinson, Zander Fagerson, Moray Low, Willem Nel, Gordon Reid, Rory Sutherland, Ross Ford, Pat MacArthur, Stuart McInally, Jonny Gray, Richie Gray, Tim Swinson, Ben Toolis, Adam Ashe, John Barclay, Blair Cowan, David Denton, Chris Fusaro, John Hardie, Josh Strauss.

Backs: Stuart Hogg, Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour, Tim Visser, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Peter Horne, Matt Scott, Duncan Taylor, Ruaridh Jackson, Finn Russell, Duncan Weir, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Greig Laidlaw.

Ireland - Sunday 7th February, 3pm - Aviva Stadium, Dublin 
Scotland - Saturday 13th February, 4.50pm - Principality Stadium, Cardiff
France - Friday 26th February, 8.05pm - Principality Stadium, Cardiff
England - Saturday 12th March, 4pm - Twickenham, London
Italy - Saturday 19th March, 2.30pm - Principality Stadium, Cardiff
 
Having narrowly missed out last year’s title to Ireland, Warren Gatland’s men will be eager to lift the trophy once again, after back-to-back tournament wins in 2012 and 2013.

Cardiff Blues winger Tom James is back in the squad after a six-year absence while 23-year-old Aled Davies scrum-half is the only uncapped player to be included.

Forward Josh Turnbull is also recalled while Bath fly-half Rhys Priestland is handed a spot after going back on his decision to take a break from international rugby.

Backs Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies and Hallam Amos return from injury while Captain Sam Warburton is included despite not playing since November.

Leigh Halfpenny and Scott Williams miss out through injury while scrum-half Rhys Webb is also out.

Player to watch - Sam Warburton 

The Wales skipper initially feared he would miss this year's championships due to an injury suffered while playing for Cardiff, but now looks set to lead the side once more.

It's no exaggeration to say that Warburton is one of Welsh rugby's all-time great captains. If he can return to full fitness and recapture his best form, Wales will be a tough proposition for anyone. 

Full Squad

Forwards: Rob Evans, Paul James, Gethin Jenkins, Tomas Francis, Aaron Jarvis, Samson Lee, Scott Baldwin, Kristian Dacey, Ken Owens, Jake Ball, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Dominic Day, Alun Wyn Jones, Josh Turnbull, Taulupe Faletau, James King, Dan Lydiate, Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton.

Backs: Aled Davies, Gareth Davies, Lloyd Williams, Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland, Cory Allen, Jonathan Davies, Tyler Morgan, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos, Alex Cuthbert, Tom James, George North, Gareth Anscombe, Matthew Morgan, Liam Williams.