 Jenkins says he will not allow press criticism to affect his selections |
Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has accused the press of running a campaign to get players they want selected in his side - irrespective of their form. Jenkins, who feels there is an "agenda" against him, says the calls for James Hook to play fly-half and Gavin Henson at centre are "unrealistic".
And despite criticism after the loss to Scotland, Jenkins said he has complete faith in Stephen Jones as captain.
"Two papers have an agenda bigger than just personal criticism," he said.
"When I read their options and views of what should be happening, they are so unrealistic. They are not looking at the big picture and not even looking at form.
"They are looking to put two particular people in this team irrespective of what, and that means that Stephen Jones shouldn't be there.
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"Now that worries me. I feel that a lot of the public believe what they actually read. So when [the press] are taking an opinion like that and forcing it on a daily basis, I think it's unfair."
Jenkins appointed Jones as captain in October ahead of Gareth Thomas, Duncan Jones and Martyn Williams.
But the 29-year-old has failed to win any of his four games in charge, with last Saturday's defeat to Scotland bringing considerable criticism of his play and leadership qualities.
Some Welsh-based newspapers had called for Hook to replace Jones for Saturday's game with France, and for Henson to make his first appearance of the campaign at inside centre.
Henson, who has not played since the end of January, was subsequently ruled out with injury and Jones kept his place and the captaincy when Jenkins named the side to face France on Monday.
"There's a huge cry for James to play 10 and Gavin to play 12," Jenkins told BBC Wales Sport.
"Now Gavin at the moment isn't playing rugby and James hasn't got that much experience at 10.
"We're trying to develop James, not only for now but for our future as well. At the moment he's experiencing his international development at 12.
| Stephen Jones is without a doubt at this time the best number 10 we've got Wales coach Gareth Jenkins |
"I'm happy with that. That's where I feel he needs to be considered and he's in a learning curve."
Former Wales captain Mike Hall has called for Jones to be relieved of the skipper's armband to concentrate on rediscovering his best form.
But Jenkins says he has been "staggered" by the suggestions Jones should be dropped, although acknowledging the 60-times capped Scarlet needs to raise his game.
"Stephen Jones is without a doubt at this time the best number 10 we've got," Jenkins told BBC Wales Sport.
"His experiences are huge, his leadership is huge, his figure in the team is very important and he's without a doubt the right man for the job.
"I think Steve will be the first to say that he's not playing particularly well, and I don't think the team played very well.
"In fact the team was poor, and you have those games. But Stephen's bigger than that and he's a better player than that and I'm hugely confident in Stephen.
"As far as I'm concerned he's the right person to play in France on Saturday.
"We can't allow [the press criticism] to affect us. Steve's very strong and very realistic. He has to understand that what's happening, he can't affect.
"The only thing he can do is put performances in and that's what we intend to do on Saturday."
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Interview: Wales captain Stephen Jones