FORMER Salisbury RFC player Mike Brown is “very disappointed” not to be selected for the British and Irish Lions squad for their summer tour in New Zealand.

The Harlequins full-back has had a great season not only for his club but also his country, he helped England retain the Six Nations back in March.

Brown spoke exclusively to JournalSport and said: “I am obviously very disappointed that I have not been involved in the Lions squad.

“However, I congratulate my fellow England and Harlequins club mates who have been selected.

“Looking at the squad chosen I think it is one of the strongest squads for any southern hemisphere tour by the Lions and hopefully that will mean back-to-back winning tours following the defeat of Australia in 2013.”

The 31-year-old has never represented the Lions, but looked in good stead to be selected for the squad, following his success for the national side having notched up 60 caps and scoring 50 points for England since his debut in 2007.

He added: “I will now be concentrating all my efforts in helping Harlequins to secure a place in the senior European competition ready for next season.

“Following that I will be returning to the England camp in preparation for the games against The Barbarians and two-match tour of Argentina.

“I will be working hard, to secure a starting place for the tests, which I do not take as a given.”

The full-back also said how England manager Eddie Jones had identified that he had a senior role to play in the team, and had shown his faith by selecting him as vice-captain along with his Harlequins team mate Danny Care for the up-coming tests.

He also said: “In my leadership role and as a mentor to the young guns, I will try to give the young players the benefit of the experience I have gained as a result of my 60 caps and number of tours I have been involved with.”

The Lions kick off their New Zealand tour on Saturday, June 3 against New Zealand Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei.