Harlequins coach Dean Richards has hit back at Brian Ashton after the England boss dumped scrum-half Andy Gomarsall from his Six Nations squad.

Ashton dropped Gomarsall ahead of England's 24-13 win in France on Saturday, claiming the Quins star had lost his spark'.

But Richards was quick to rubbish the claims.

He said: "It has been difficult for Andy.

"When you get your country to a World Cup final, everybody is hailing you as a hero.

"People need to realise that he is 33 and his experience is absolutely vital to us.

"I don't think he has lost his spark - if you had seen him in training this week, you would have seen a guy that was as motivated as ever."

Despite giving Gomarsall his backing Richards admitted the form of Danny Care was forcing his selection hand.

Care played a starring role as Quins earned a rare win on the road on Sunday with a stunning 15-6 Premiership triumph at Saracens.

And Richards agreed that, as long as Care keeps performing, he is likely to retain the number nine jersey ahead of Gomarsall.

He added: "Danny is playing very well and it suits our style of play.

"He offers us a huge amount around the fringes.

"He's in form, he's playing well and there's no reason for us to change."

Quins' victory at Vicarage Road, courtesy of tries from Chris Robshaw and Ugo Monye, backed up last week's win over Worcester.

And with Gloucester visiting the Stoop on Saturday, the Quins supremo insisted his side will enter the game with confidence.

Richards added: "We felt we had to back up last week and some of the quality in the first half was fantastic.

"There's a huge amount of talent here and everybody is enjoying themselves.

"We still have a huge amount of confidence and there is a real buzz about the side."