Gough is one of four changes in a beefed-up pack

"We need more grunt against France, we have to match them up front," he said.

"In the loss to Scotland we didn't start with any physicality and the scrum was poor, this selection is in the light of that performance.

"Colin Charvis is playing very well and pressing for a place, but the back row has been one of the most consistent areas and I'm happy with the balance."

Interview: Wales coach Gareth Jenkins

606 DEBATE: Give your thoughts on the Wales squad to face France

Tom Shanklin, Shane Williams and Lee Byrne are in for first Wales starts this year after recovering from injury, but Jenkins says he did not consider putting Gavin Henson in his match-day 22.

There was never any doubt that Stephen Jones would be my outside-half and captain, I was disappointed to read some of the criticism Wales coach Gareth Jenkins

"Gavin was never in the frame - he didn't make the team on form at the start of the Six Nations and he hasn't played since," Jenkins told BBC Sport Wales.

"It was great to see Lee showing some form with the Ospreys on Saturday after we lost Kevin Morgan to injury, and it's good to have Shane and Tom back.

"There was never any doubt that Stephen Jones would be my outside-half and captain, I was disappointed to read some of the criticism of him after Murrayfield.