Back-row Colin Charvis has won 84 Wales caps but is out of favour

The 84-cap Dragons back-row, 34, has again failed to make even the bench despite impressing at regional level.

"I definitely would have started with Colin Charvis," Holmes told BBC Wales.

"He's destructive, you've got Martyn Williams who is constructive and I think that would have given a much better balance in the back-row."

Jenkins has opted to keep faith with Cardiff Blues open-side Williams, plus Ryan Jones and Alix Popham in an unchanged back-row for the Stade de France showdown.

That is despite making seven changes elsewhere in the starting XV from the one that started the 21-9 loss in Scotland last time out.

Another player yet to feature for Wales in this RBS Six Nations campaign is Ospreys back Gavin Henson.

Mike Phillips could also have come in as he terrorised France last year Terry Holmes

"Gareth Jenkins says Henson hasn't played enough rugby, but I would probably have looked to put him on the bench," Holmes added.

"He is a match-winner and if there's a 60 or 70-yard penalty then Henson is capable of kicking that.

"So even for that one reason I would have had him on the bench because it's going to be tough out in France and you have to be able to take every opportunity."

Although Llanelli Scarlets pair Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones, the captain, are the senior half-back pair in the Wales side and British Lions, Holmes would also make changes there.

"I certainly would have put James Hook at 10 although it's important that Stephen Jones plays," Holmes said.

"Stephen could have played at 12 as they're both outside-halves and that might have given us a better attacking kicking game.

"Mike Phillips could also have come in as he terrorised France last year and they would have been scared stiff of him."

Phillips is a scrum-half in the mould of Holmes thanks to his size, strength and speed, and has been named on the bench to face Les Bleus.

The Cardiff Blues number nine is out of contract with his region at the end of this season and has been linked with a big-money move to rival Welsh side the Ospreys.

Holmes has backed Jenkins' decision to change the whole front-row, with Gethin Jenkins, Chris Horsman and hooker Matthew Rees getting the nod over Duncan and Adam Jones and Rhys Thomas.