Scottish Rugby Union president Andy Irvine has voiced disappointment that no Scot will play in a British and Irish Lions Test match this year.

Lions head coach Sir Clive Woodward has omitted Gordon Bulloch and Chris Cusiter for the final game of the series, which New Zealand have already clinched after their win last weekend.

Simon Taylor was forced to leave the touring party early due to injury, while Jason White was a late call-up to act as cover for the final tour fixtures.

Scotland have not enjoyed their best form in the last two years with Matt Williams axed in March after winning just three Tests from 17 attempts.

But the absence of Bulloch and Cusiter for the Test at Eden Park on Saturday has surprised the new SRU chief and former Lion.

Irvine said: "Obviously, from Scotland's point of view, it is disappointing.

"I have said it before but selection is a very subjective thing.

"It is disappointing but you have to respect the wishes of the selectors."

But the former Scotland and British Lions international believes there will be an increase in the number of Scottish players for the next tour in 2009.

Irvine added: "There is no doubt that our performances in the last few years have not been particularly inspiring. You just have to look at our record.

"But, more than anything, we need to increase the size of our playing pool.

"If you look at the numbers playing at professional, club and grassroots level, we are well behind other countries in the Six Nations.

"That is what we have to work on. We have to get more people playing the game and get more professional players playing at a decent level.

"But that is not going to be a quick process - it is going to take time.

"I would be disappointed if we weren't punching above our weight on the next tour, so to speak.

"I would suspect that there might not be so many players on the next tour but, in percentage terms, I would expect the Scottish contingent to certainly be more than this time round."