Harlequins director of rugby Conor O’Shea has claimed the British & Irish Lions squad was not chosen on form, otherwise club skipper Chris Robshaw would have been going to Australia in the summer.

Robshaw, Danny Care, Joe Marler and Mike Brown were all omitted from selection, but O’Shea was particularly disappointed about the omission of Robshaw and Care.

Lions forwards coach Graham Rowntree said the England skipper was “unlucky” to have missed out, but O’Shea has a more pragmatic view.

He said: “Selection is a subjective process, an opinion thing, it’s not all based on form – it quite patently isn’t.

“But that is the coach’s prerogative, to go with players he knows and that is what Warren Gatland has done.

Wimbledon Times: On the move: Danny Care in action on Sunday Picture: Getty Images

Snubbed: Danny Care missed out on a place in Warren Gatland's final 37

“I am really disappointed for Chris, for everything he has done and achieved this season, how he has played, how he has captained and led us and England.

“A lot of guys will be disappointed. “Warren is very straight talking, and he is a good bloke.

“He has shown a lot of faith in some of the people he has selected and he will be telling them that, because there are disappointed people left behind who, on form, are ahead of the guys who have been selected.

“Warren has given certain players a shot. They are good players, don’t get me wrong, but they will have to repay the faith Warren has shown in them.”

Gatland named 24 Lions debutants in his 37-man squad, including skipper and Welsh flanker Sam Warburton.

Rowntree said: “Chris was upset and quite rightly so. He’s been exceptional for England.

“There are going to be injuries and Chris will be one of the first names we turn to. He’s desperately unlucky.”

Although Robshaw misses this weekend’s visit of Northampton Saints, O’Shea said he will be fit and ready should the call come.

He said: “He’ll battle back, that is the kind of player he is. “In any sport, you have ups and downs – are they all deserved? No, but they happen.

“Chris is philosophical about it. He has done everything he could to warrant being in the group. He hasn’t made it – that’s life.”