Woodward says he will be the "best-prepared Lions coach ever"

Woodward wants the four home nations to release members of their squads for a successions of training days.

"If the Lions are all shaking hands, meeting up for the first time at the end of May, it's going to be very difficult," said the ex-England coach.

Welsh officials have already given a positive response to Woodward's plea.

But a Scotland Rugby Union spokesman said they would require a formal approach before any decision could be made on access and training days.

As for Premier Rugby, the English clubs' umbrella body, they are still in negotiations with the Lions but have already brought forward the Zurich Grand Final by two weeks.

I have to make sure the attitude England took into the World Cup is the same with the Lions Sir Clive Woodward

"It's not only training, it's calls, moves, communication," added Woodward, who cited the lack of time with his players as one of the reasons for quitting as England coach.

"I am hoping I will get some time with the players, even sitting down in the room.

"The important thing is that I get out there and meet players, not so much watch them play but make them understand what I believe needs to happen between now and next June for us to win.

"I have to make sure the attitude England took into the World Cup is the same with the Lions - that there are no excuses, we are there to win.

"It won't be about players that are tired or ill-prepared. We have got to do things a little bit differently and that is my job. It's a huge challenge given the criteria we work in.

"I will definitely be the best-prepared Lions coach ever.

Winning a World Cup will make you pretty famous, but winning a series against New Zealand will make these guys legends in the game Sir Clive Woodward

"I have time now to go round to some of their training sessions, work with Mike Ruddock, Eddie O'Sullivan and Matt Williams.

"Just go to training sessions and say: 'Can I just have 10 minutes?'

"If we can't, I have got to work other ways of doing things, which I think I can achieve by doing something differently to before."

Woodward is keen to add a series win over New Zealand to last year's World Cup win in Australia.

"The Lions tour is just as big as a World Cup in a different way," he said.

"From a rugby union point of view, winning a World Cup will make you pretty famous, but winning a series against New Zealand will make these guys legends in the game."

The Lions will play New Zealand on 25 June, 2 July and 9 July next year.