BOURNEMOUTH boss David Dunn expressed his pride after a number of his former players had been selected by the British & Irish Lions.

Dunn, director of rugby at Chapel Gate, worked within the international set-up as coach of England Schools between 2000 and 2005.

That role saw Dunn manage some of the country’s leading up-and-coming rugby stars, including Leicester trio Tom Croft and brothers Ben and Tom Youngs – who were all named yesterday as part of the prestigious Lions squad to tour Australia this summer.

Back-row forward Croft, scrum-half Ben Youngs and hooker Tom Youngs were among 10 England players picked by head coach Warren Gatland.

Dunn was delighted to see the triumvirate included. He told the Daily Echo: “It is great to have been involved with the development of some of those lads. What they have all got in common is they are all really modest young men and none of them will let it go to their heads.

“They are very level-headed young men and they are a pleasure to be with and around. They have always got time and that is the measure of them as men.”

Dunn added: “I have worked with both of the Youngs brothers.

“Tom was an inside centre for me in the England Schools side. He went off to Nottingham and developed his game as a hooker. He came back to play as a full international in a completely different position, which I think is fantastic.

“Ben is his younger brother and he has always been a very talented scrum-half. He has done very well to keep Danny Care out of the England side and also the Lions tour now.”

The headline news in the Lions squad announcement was the omission of England skipper Chris Robshaw and legendary fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.

Wales have 15 representatives, including Sam Warburton who will captain the team, while Ireland have nine players and Scotland three.