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Warren Gatland explains team selection for British and Irish Lions squad

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland explains his reasons behind picking the 37-man squad for their summer tour in Australia.

Head coach Warren Gatland has revealed how he picked his 37-man squad for the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia.

The 49-year-old has claimed that the physicality of players was taken into account when he opted to snub the likes of Jonny Wilkinson and England captain Chris Robshaw.

"We've looked at the last few weeks in terms of performances," said Gatland. "We've had a number of players who have come back from injury.

"The benchmark for a lot of the squad was the Six Nations and then looking at some club form and assessing whether there was the same physical intensity to draw comparison and then finally make the selection of those players.

"If you look at previous tours, there are six to eight players who always get injured. There will be a key group of players who will potentially be called up."

Gatland also unveiled Wales flanker Sam Warburton as captain of the side, who have not clinched glory for 16 years.

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