Northampton coach Dorian West says that England call-ups are negatively affecting back-rower Phil Dowson.

The 29-year-old is in the elite player squad but has not been retained for any of the Six Nations matches so far.

West told BBC Look East: "He's got a foot in both camps, he has to know how both teams play and he is being stretched to the limit.

"That's difficult and if you look at his game [against Bath], it clearly had an effect on how he played."

West added: "He's a great player and a great professional.

"He's spent a lot of time watching what happened and trying to think how to put it right.

"He always gives you a positive attitude so I know he'll give his best for Northampton this week."

Dowson was one of ten players released by England for the Six Nations clash against France on Saturday.

Perhaps we need to think about our back-up players and how often they're available Dorian West

"It would be nice if England made a call early to say whether he's going to be with them or not, but they're the rules and we have to get on with it," West continued.

Meanwhile, West has reiterated the views of Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder, who says they are assessing their recruitment policy for next season in the light of the number of international call-ups from the club.

"If you look at the lads we've got away, none of them had played international rugby before they came here.

"They're aspiring to be the best they can be and that's the sort of person we want - that makes your team better.

"We just have to try and plan and be a little bit more switched on as to how quickly we think some players will develop. We've got to get that balance right, and perhaps we need to think about our back-up players and how often they're available."

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