McLaren says Lions coach's selection a 'huge insult'

"I know that Scotland have struggled in the Six Nations Championship, but I still expected us to have seven or eight men in such a big squad," said McLaren.

"It is a huge insult to Scotland. Three is a dismal number. It is actually an insult and a big slap in the face, particularly when you think of how much Scottish players have contributed to the Lions cause through the years - people like Hughie McLeod, Ian McLauchlan, Gordon Brown, Andy Irvine, the Hastings brothers, Gregor Townsend and Alan Tait.

"Chris Paterson will be desperately disappointed because I would have expected his name to have been one of the first on the list. He is undoubtedly a world-class player - someone who makes things happen around him."

McLauchlan, who claimed the Lions’ only try in their first Test triumph over the All Blacks in 1971, stated: "It is all a bit unfair. Paterson has probably become a victim of his versatility after being shunted around various positions for Scotland.

"I feel most for Jason White, who was absolutely outstanding in the Six Nations. It is a slap in the face for him to be left behind in favour of Englishmen who don’t even play international rugby any more."

Former Scotland and Lions centre Scott Hastings said: "I feel sorry for Paterson when you see the likes of Iain Balshaw included after playing only at the tail end of the Six Nations. Maybe Chris will rue the tackles he missed. It is things like that which are likely to count against you."