Friday 9 December 2016 10:50, UK
Warren Gatland has questioned Gregor Townsend's decision to turn down a coaching role with the British and Irish Lions and feels the experience would have helped his development.
The incoming Scotland head coach rejected an offer to join the coaching set-up for the summer tour to New Zealand, choosing instead to concentrate on leading his country's tour of Australia.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt also declined an offer to join the tour, while Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell, England forwards coach Steve Borthwick and Wales acting head-coach Rob Howley were all named in the roles.
Gatland revealed on Sky Sports' 'Live Lions Special' he had not received the same level of cooperation from all four nations involved and that he would have liked a Scottish representative in his line-up.
"Most of them are pretty good," Gatland said. "Most of them are excellent.
"I think it ticks a lot of the boxes for me. There is some continuity and people that know and work with each other, trust each other and adding some fresh faces - Steve Borthwick brings that in.
"It nearly ticks all the boxes in terms of Ireland, England and Wales ticked off. The ideal scenario would be having someone from Scotland as well and then we would have been complete but we haven't got that at the moment.
"I had a conversation with Gregor, he had a release in his contract. I personally thought it would have been brilliant for his development for him to go on a Lions tour.
"Unfortunately, I think it is going to be his loss, and ultimately Scotland's loss as well."
Click play on the video above to hear Gatland discuss Townsend's decision...
