Premiership clubs can compete in Europe - Dowson

Investec Champions Cup quarter-final: Northampton Saints v Castres

Venue: Franklin's Gardens Date: Saturday, 12 April Kick-off: 17:30 BST

Coverage: Live audio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra; follow live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app

It is "tough but possible" for Premiership sides to compete both domestically and in Europe, says Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson.

Dowson's side have endured a difficult defence of their Premiership title but are the only English club remaining in this year's Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals after Harlequins, Saracens, Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks were knocked out in the last 16.

Saints, who are seeking to become the Premiership's first Champions Cup winners since Exeter in 2020, can reach a second consecutive semi-final in Europe's premier club competition if they overcome Castres at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

The increase in the Premiership salary cap to £6.4m means it is still considerably lower than the £9m cap for Top 14 clubs in France but Dowson, who guided his side to the Premiership title and a first Champions Cup semi-final since 2011 last season, says English clubs can still compete against the best teams in Europe.

"It's hard [to compete] but it's supposed to be hard," Dowson told BBC Radio Northampton.

"Some of the other sides and leagues have more ability to withstand injuries and rest players but it's still possible for Premiership teams.

"The Top 14 has a longer schedule and they may have bigger squads but they still have to ensure they are winning every week to compete on two fronts, likewise in the United Rugby Championship.

"It is possible but it's tough. We haven't managed to do it very well this year but last year we had a decent run in the tournament and it's a very tough thing to do."

Northampton overcame French opposition in Clermont Auvergne in the last 16 to set-up their quarter-final tie with another Top 14 side Castres.

Saints beat Saturday's visitors 38-8 in their opening game of the pool stage but hooker Curtis Langdon says he is expecting a different contest with a semi-final place at stake.

"We are under no illusions it will be a different Castres team coming this weekend," Langdon told BBC Radio Northampton.

"They are very passionate about rugby in France and one area they are really passionate about is the set-piece with their scrum and maul. It's a part of the game where they really want to assert dominance over the opposition.

"We will not change our gameplan depending on who we play, we are just trying to put our game on the pitch every week and last week we scored some good tries by playing at our speed, which is what we want."