Lions 2017: Twitter reacts to Gatland's selection

Warren Gatland courted controversy when he named his 41-man British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of New Zealand.

There were several notable absentees from the sizeable selection, while those who made the cut were evidently delighted.

Here, we take a look at the best reaction from Twitter.

WARBURTON GETS CAPTAINCY HONOUR

As in 2013, Sam Warburton was handed the captain’s armband, with Gatland citing the Wales flanker’s experience in the role as key to his decision.

The 28-year-old’s selection was widely expected and warmly received, with Warburton himself revealing he had found out the news while in a supermarket car park.

PLAYER SELECTED: Only the second player in history to be picked as Captain on back-to-back Tours, your 2017 Captain Sam Warburton #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/r5aelibxOH

— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) April 19, 2017

Thanks for all the extremely kind messages. Amazing honour to captain the @lionsofficial again. Squad looks very very strong! #AllForOne

— Sam Warburton (@samwarburton_) April 19, 2017

This man @samwarburton_ will lead a hugely competitive @lionsofficial team to New Zealand. Can’t wait   pic.twitter.com/VOd52LljLq

— Sean Fitzpatrick (@SFitzpatrick92) April 19, 2017

WASPS STUNG BY LAUNCHBURY EXCLUSION

Joe Launchbury’s omission was one of the big talking points, after the lock helped England to a second consecutive Six Nations title.

He was nominated for the Player of the Championship, too, but that was not enough to win over Gatland, much to the surprise of club side wasps.

All gobsmacked here that Joe Launchbury wont be with @lionsofficial . 2 motm’s in a 6 Nations winning campaign & player of the comp nominee

— Wasps (@WaspsRugby) April 19, 2017

What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger! @joe_launch will use disappointment this to fuel his future ambitions. #Extraordinarytalent

— Simon Shaw (@ShawseyShaw) April 19, 2017

HARTLEY NOT TOO DOWNHEARTED

In the previous two tours the England captain was left out and Dylan Hartley continued that theme, unwillingly following in the footsteps of predecessors Steve Borthwick and Chris Robshaw.

He seemed to take it on the chin, though.

Congrats to all selected, especially @George_North @Courtney_Lawes . Head down, keep grafting, work to be done in Argentina #firgun

— Dylan Hartley (@DylanHartley) April 19, 2017

Well done Dylan , selection is never easy at any level – important to treat both with equal humility , sometime it goes with sometimes not https://t.co/kPOXbGvCaN

— Sir Clive Woodward (@CliveWoodward) April 19, 2017

KEEPING IT BRIEF

Some players weren’t quite sure how to react, with Kyle Sinckler and Anthony Watson in particular apparently in shock.

Wow

— Kyle Sinckler (@KyleSinckler) April 19, 2017

It’s all mad…

— Anthony Watson (@anthonywatson_) April 19, 2017

BEST OF THE REST

There were plenty of other professionals, past and present, with a thing or two to say about the Lions’ line-up.

Congrats to all those selected for the British & Irish lions!

— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) April 19, 2017

Very proud of my boys @JoeMarler and @KyleSinckler getting the @lionsofficial call up! They will both do incredibly well out there

— Adam Jones (@adamjones3) April 19, 2017

Some big names in & some big names missing in 2days @lionsofficial squad..to those not picked it might seem cliche but #StayReady #TrustMe ?

— Alex Corbisiero (@AlexCorbs) April 19, 2017

Watch the every match of the Lions Tour to New Zealand streaming live on rugbypass.com, home of the best online rugby coverage including news, highlights, previews & reviews, live scores, and more!