Henry Paul today accused Gloucester coaches of holding back his career.

The former Bull slammed the regime at the union club and said the standards were too low and were hampering his progress and that of the team.

He has held talks with boss Philippe Saint Andre but admits "there is only so much you can say before you just have to get on with things".

Paul was axed from last night's Parker Pen Shield game against Ebbw Vale and his hopes of an appearance in the six nations have been dashed after being named in the England second-string side.

The £250,000-a-year rugby league convert has struggled to adapt to the nuances of the union code and had arguably his worst game for The Cherry and Whites in last Sunday's Powergen Cup exit at London Irish.

"I don't think the coaching at Gloucester is good enough," said the former New Zealand international.

"There needs to be more technical work and I feel it is holding me back and the side in general.

"Moving here from Bradford feels like I have taken a step down.

"Brian Noble (the Bulls coach) had things close to perfect and it is just not happening here."

But Paul said he would stay with the club and see out his contract.

He said: "I feel we have a lot to play for this season and my ambition is to win something with the club."

Paul is not the only one to suffer at Gloucester under Saint Andre, former All-Black Ian Jones and the world cup winner Jason Little have both moved from the Frenchman's regime.

He added that he hoped to force his way into the England first-team for the six nations and would be pushing Mike Catt and Will Greenwood to play at centre.

"I don't regret moving to rugby union," he added.

"It is a wonderful game and there is plenty I want to achieve in this sport.

"I am honoured to be in the England second-string side so early in my move to union and it is an important stepping-stone for me."

Paul had an inglorious start at his new club, turning up nearly three hours late for a press conference much to the embarrassment of his new pay-masters.

He marked his debut for Gloucester with 28 points in a 98-14 demolition of Caerphilly, but has failed to set the game alight since.