Lions supporters left screaming for one late call-up after First Test defeat to New Zealand

He missed out once. He missed out twice. At this stage, he is simply... missed.

"Get Joe Launchbury on the phone!"

One of the most shocking decisions made by British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland when putting together his squad for this summer's tour of New Zealand was leaving Launchbury back home. The Wasps lock had every right to feel hard done by to miss out on selection and he was dearly missed in the Lions' First Test, which ended in a 30-15 defeat to a rampaging All Blacks side. Supporters felt there was a different reason for Launchbury's omission because, on form and ability, he should really be a part of that squad. Even when Gatland made six late call-ups, Launchbury was left in Argentina [with England] and Wales' Cory Hill got the nod. Alun Wyn Jones and George Kruis started at second row for Saturday's clash at Eden Park, with neither proving all that effective against a typically devastating onslaught from the Kiwis. Jones, in particular, was singled out for some harsh criticism from frustrated supporters and the Welshman was hauled seven minutes after half-time. And after the game, those same fans took to social media to claim that the game would have played out differently if Launchbury had received the shout from Gatland. It's not too late to fly to New Zealand, is it? https://twitter.com/ryan_whiteman/status/878539375956701185 https://twitter.com/johnwcmac/status/878538250796847105 https://twitter.com/Wigwamjam/status/878538631748747264 https://twitter.com/jon_gleeson/status/878542560238731264 https://twitter.com/BovDaz/status/878544013430853633 https://twitter.com/Biddibops/status/878547061641236480 https://twitter.com/bloodandmud/status/878547383218561026 https://twitter.com/Jonny_Harwood/status/878549355275452416 https://twitter.com/justus_beets/status/878548540016013312 https://twitter.com/RnRRugby/status/878553577953923072