Sir Clive Woodward is the prime candidate to coach the Lions

They are likely to face an even tighter schedule than in Australia in 2003, with seven matches against provincial opposition and three Tests.

Lions chairman Bill Beaumont hinted it will be a mere five-week tour, with the details confirmed on 10 February.

"It will commence roughly in the first week in June and finish on the second Saturday in July with the last of three Tests," he told BBC Sport.

PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE 4 June: Bay of Plenty 8 June: Taranaki 11 June: NZ Maori 15 June: Wellington 18 June: Otago 21 June: Southland 25 June: 1st Test - C'church 28 June: Manawatu 2 July: 2nd Test - Wellington 9 July: 3rd Test - Auckland

The Lions will play provincial sides rather than Super 12 outfits, although will not face NPC champions Auckland.

"A tour of New Zealand is the ultimate test and this will be no different," Beaumont added.

"They have a very strong provincial set-up, similar to South Africa, and there is no easy schedule in New Zealand."

Beaumont also re-iterated his hope that Sir Clive Woodward would make himself available to coach the tourists.

"I have spoken to Clive and I'm hopeful he would wish his name to go into the ring and make himself available, but that's like everybody else," he said.

Woodward has approached everything so professionally - I don't think that will transfer to a Lions team From Malc Owen Have your say on Scrum V

"He'll be interviewed, we'll get his ideas on board and we'll announce a coach in the next five weeks."

Ireland's Eddie O'Sullivan is the only realistic alternative to Woodward, and is also set to be interviewed.

Beaumont also raised the possibility of retired England captain Martin Johnson having an involvement if the appointed coach chose to use him.

"I think anybody would be foolish to ignore Martin Johnson in whatever capacity he wants to remain in rugby," Beaumont told the Daily Mirror.

"But in this context it would be up to the coach to decide because it's his shout. We give him the ammunition and he decides what to do with it.