Sir Clive Woodward met up with his British and Irish Lions squad for the first time at their training base just outside Cardiff on Monday.
Lions coach Woodward has assembled the group of 44 players he announced earlier this month for the three-Test tour of New Zealand for a two-day get-together aimed at uniting representatives of all four Home Unions (England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales) into a cohesive unit.
As well as Woodward, his former England team-mate Bill Beaumont, now the Lions manager, captain Brian O'Driscoll and coach Ian McGeechan also addressed the squad.
"This is the day it has all become real. I am determined we leave no stone unturned in our preparations and this is the first opportunity for me to sit down with the players to discuss that," said Woodward, a former Lions center.
"I am very impressed by them. They are totally up for it, focussed and committed to doing the best possible for their clubs, countries and the Lions. I want this tour to be different from any other with each player enjoying the experience, acting as an ambassador for their country as well as focussing on winning," he said.
Ireland captain and center O'Driscoll added: "Today it hit home what a massive honor it is to be a player and the captain of this squad.
"The room was littered with captains and leaders from both club and country. Seeing so much class together is what makes this so exciting and we know we all have a chance to be involved in something special," he said.
"Everyone realizes that from this day forward we cease to be Irish, Scottish, English and Welsh. We become Lions with tremendous history and objectives," O'Driscoll said.
Wales captain Gareth Thomas, who missed the final two matches of the Six Nations Grand Slam title run-in because of a broken thumb suffered before half-time in the victory over France, said that O'Driscoll could expect his unqualified support on the tour.
"Standing up in-front of the players today, you realize what an honor it is to be picked for the Lions," said Thomas, who could make his return to action for his French club Toulouse in Sunday's European Cup semifinal with Leicester.
"The Welsh players are all delighted and relishing the opportunity to play with such a great squad of players. There will be tough times and good times but I can guarantee from myself and the other Welsh players we will support Brian 100 percent," he said.
The Lions have won just one series against New Zealand, back in 1971.
They face Argentina in a warm-up match at Cardiff on May 23 and their first tour match is against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on June 4.
The first Test of three against the All Blacks is at Christchurch on June 25.
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