Jenkins explains Charvis omission

Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins has defended his decision not to select in-form loose forward Colin Charvis for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France.

Charvis was a hot tip to win his first international call in 12 months after another storming display at the weekend for the Newport Gwent Dragons.

Jenkins has revamped his pack from the 21-9 defeat by Scotland, making four changes and adding a physical edge Wales were missing 10 days ago.

But his decision not to call on Charvis surprised fans and former players alike, who felt the former captain’s experience and physical presence would be a major asset in Paris.

Former international Terry Holmes said: “Charvis had to play. He is the best six in regional rugby. He is experienced, he is physical.

“With him and Martyn Williams we would have one constructive flanker and destructive flanker. He had to start if you are picking people on form.”

Jenkins opted to retain his back row of Alix Popham, Ryan Jones and Williams with Jonathan Thomas as cover on the bench.

He explained: “Colin is playing very well. He has been very much a part of the selection discussion but the back row isn’t our problem. The back row has been an asset to us and we feel we have the right balance in this pack to compete on level terms with France.

“France have a big physical presence up front which we will need to combat, they operate a blitz defence and take their opportunities well in attack. We need to break the physical dominance France put on a game and we have strong views about how we want to take the game to them.

“We have to have a physical presence and have to be able to match them.”

Even without including Charvis, Jenkins made a total of seven changes to the Wales side beaten at Murrayfield.

Props Chris Horsman and Gethin Jenkins return to a new-look front row with Matthew Rees named the starting hooker in place of Rhys Thomas.

And Jenkins has reinstated powerful Newport Gwent Dragons lock Ian Gough into the second row, with Brent Cockbain named on the bench and Robert Sidoli dropping out of the squad.

In the back division, Tom Shanklin starts at outside centre, winger Shane Williams returns from injury and Lee Byrne takes over at full-back from Kevin Morgan, who broke his jaw at Murrayfield.

Jenkins said: “When we looked at our performance against Scotland we all recognised how disappointing we were. It was not only a bad game but a poor performance from us and this selection reflects that.”

Holmes would also have started with James Hook at fly-half and moved captain Stephen Jones, under fire in many corners of Welsh rugby, to inside centre.

But Jenkins has retained complete faith in Jones as his starting fly-half and his captain.

“I was disappointed at the weekend to read some of the comments about Stephen,” said Jenkins.

“It staggers me people want the captain removed from selection. Our side isn’t playing well. We accept and expect criticism because of that. But Stephen is a worthy captain and he is the player to lead this team in France.”