Gatland’s quick picks criticised

Former Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan said he ‘‘would have swum to New Zealand’’ to represent the Lions in light of Warren Gatland’s controversial callups during the tour.

Quinlan was selected for the Lions in 2009 but missed the tour to South Africa because of a ban for making contact with the eye area of an opponent in a European club game.

England coach Eddie Jones led the criticism of Gatland for calling up four Welsh and two Scottish players as cover based on practicality, while several former Lions players condemned the move because it ‘‘devalues the jersey’’.

Lions legend Ian McGeechan said it was ‘‘difficult to justify geography’’ and that wouldn’t have prevented Quinlan from travelling to New Zealand from Japan if he still played in green, having retired back in 2011.

Ireland beat the Brave Blossoms 50-22 in Tokyo last weekend, while England clinched a series victory in Argentina after winning 35-25 in Santa Fe.

Quinlan said playing for the Lions ‘‘was the ultimate accolade’’ and that Gatland had devalued the famous concept.

‘‘There is no doubt that Warren Gatland’s decision has dented the ethos surrounding the Lions,’’ he wrote in the Irish Independent.

‘‘It’s not these guys’ fault they got called up, they were hardly going to turn down the chance to play for the Lions but I know if I was an Irish player in Japan, I would’ve swum to New Zealand, if it meant I got the chance to play a minute for the Lions.’’

The Welsh quartet of Cory Hill, Kristian Dacey, Gareth Davies and Tomas Francis were called up after Wales beat Tonga 24-6 at Eden Park on Friday, while Scots Allan Dell and Finn Russell were added after Scotland stunned Australia with a 24-19 victory in Sydney on Saturday.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt defended Gatland, saying the callups were practical, as well as Lions halfback Greg Laidlaw, who started against the Chiefs in Hamilton yesterday, with all six additions named on the bench.

Quinlan admitted he could understand Gatland’s thinking ‘‘from a selfish point of view’’ but said it was completely wrong.

‘‘Any person who has ever played for the Lions will tell you how proud they were to pull on that red jersey,’’ he added. ’’I would have been no different and neither are the six guys who were called up over the weekend but that doesn’t mean they earned it.’’