Harlequins chief Dean Richards believes England's top clubs could be given a break on international weekends.

His comments were delivered as Wasps attempt to kick-start their faltering title bid at home to Sale on Sunday having lost nine players to international duty at Twickenham.

Last weekend, they were defeated 32-10 by a Quins side who will now also be below strength against Leicester tomorrow.

Second-placed Quins have lost six players to three different Test teams this weekend and Richards said: "In terms of fitting matches into the season, we are right at the maximum and can't go any further.

"If there is going to be any movement then it will have to be the other way. It will be very interesting to see what happens next year in terms of the EDF Energy Cup and the make-up of the fixture list. Fingers crossed, there may be a bit of free time created because we can't push it any harder."

But Richards does not support the argument that rugby should follow football's lead and demand league matches are not played at the same time as internationals.

"You wouldn't go to Manchester United for a Premiership match and find nine players missing because they were on England duty," he said. "But you have to ask, when did England last win the football World Cup?"

London Irish, third in the table, entertain Saracens on Sunday, with the visitors now benefiting from the input of South African World Cup-winning coach Jake White.