Aviva Premiership leaders Wasps have said they are 'gobsmacked' after lock Joe Launchbury was a surprise omission from the British and Lions squad for this summer's tour of New Zealand.

Wasps captain Launchbury was overlooked by coach Warren Gatland, who opted for Iain Henderson, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones, George Kruis and Courtney Lawes as his second row options.

Elliot Daly was the sole Wasps player to be included in the 41-man squad announced by tour manager John Spencer at the Hilton London Syon Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Joe Launchbury misses out however with Gatland admitting he made his final call on Tuesday

Launchbury's side Wasps tweeted their disapproval of their player's exclusion

The Wasps captain gave a dignified response congratulating Elliot Daly on his inclusion

Shortly after the announcement, Wasps tweeted: 'All gobsmacked here that Joe Launchbury won't be with @lionsofficial. 2 motm's in a 6 Nations winning campaign & player of the comp nominee.'

The player himself has given a dignified response to being left out, taking to his personal Twitter account to congratulate his team-mate Daly with a series of emojis.

Gatland admitted prior to the unveiling that he had made several late decisions on selections and that he had tougher calls on individuals than fours years ago for the tour of Australia.

Ironically, Gatland was head coach at Wasps during 2002 and 2005, when he won three consecutive Premiership titles, the European Challenge Cup and the Heineken Cup.

Gatland opted against naming Launchbury in his 41-man squad despite his leadership skills

Iain Henderson and Courtney Lawes (right) were both named among the second rows

Gatland admitted at Wednesday's press conference that it was his hardest squad to select

Despite Launchbury's omission, there are 19 England players in Gatland's extended squad, with the coach believing the difficult warm-up matches means it is necessary for a larger touring party.

Launchbury will be informed to keep in shape once the domestic season comes to an end, in case of a late call-up due to injuries to those who were included in the squad.

Captain of Wasps, the 26-year-old could yet cause embarrassment for the selectors by lifting the Premiership title in May with the side top of the table with two games of the regular season remaining ahead of the play-offs.

While Wasps were understandably disappointed for their man, there was joy elsewhere as the world of rugby reacted to the hotly-anticipated news.

Exeter Chiefs have congratulated Jack Nowell on his inclusion among the Lions backs

Nowell is one of 19 Premiership players named in the Lions squad to take on the All Blacks

Exeter Chiefs tweeted their congratulations to Jack Nowell on his call-up, with the England wing telling the club's official website: 'It's pretty surreal at the minute, I just literally found out. I was watching the announcement on the TV with the boys and my named got called out!

'The fact I was with the boys at the time made it even more special. You kind of get a feeling how much it means to them as well and obviously it's down to them that I got into an England shirt in the first place

'I'm so excited and it's reward for all that hard work that people have put into me over the years. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it.'

Saracens prop Petrus du Plessis posted a video on twitter of the squad announcing to the news

du Plessis captures the mood of the Sarries clubhouse before panning to Jamie George

A delighted George can barely hide his excitement at having heard his name called out

Meanwhile, Saracens' South African prop Petrus du Plessis captured the moment his team-mate Jamie George was confirmed as one of the selections, with a short video of the squad rejoicing upon hearing the news.

After hearing George's named called out among the forwards, the assembled players rise to their feet to applaud the hooker on receiving the honour of representing the Lions, with the player himself clearly delighted as he stands in the corner of the clubhouse.

Saracens players account for six of the full squad, with Owen Farrell, George Kruis, Maro Itoje and the Vunipola brothers, Mako and Billy joining George - with the club tweeting: ' Congratulations to the #sarries6 who make us the most represented club on the @lionsofficial #LionsNZ2017 tour, a brilliant achievement!'