He said players had to use the Six Nations to cement their claims for a spot on the southern hemisphere trip and warned his squad selections would come from all sides.

“All four countries are doing really well on leadership so all bodes well for the Lions. It’s going to be a big decision and I’ll be sitting down to make sure we’re all agreed,” he said.

The final squad and captain are to be named at the beginning of next April.

Woodward was in Dublin to discuss the team’s prospects with Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan after a series of autumn internationals dominated by New Zealand.

The World Cup-winning coach said preparation and organisation was key to success as he confirmed Alastair Campbell, Prime Minister Tony Blair’s former right-hand man, as the team’s media consultant.

“All the sides are moving ahead including New Zealand and it’s absolutely critical that the Lions take that on board and make sure that the Lions move forward,” he added.

“It’s the ultimate place to go and it’s the toughest place to go. I’m just hugely looking forward to it, it’s just a huge honour to be in my position. The job is clear – to deliver on behalf of these countries.

“I’m not sure I like the word bonding, I’m just saying we have to be the best prepared team to win. The preparation will be as thorough as I possibly can make it, and I know that has to happen if we are to beat these guys.”

Woodward said he had been awarded a large enough budget to take 44 players on the mammoth challenge down under but refused to reveal how much the Lions committee would be spending.

John Feehan, Lions tour chief executive, said he expected around 15,000 fans to make the trip to New Zealand with ex-pats also packing into the stadiums.

“It really will feel like the hordes have descended, they’ll all come out of the woodwork,” he said.