A host of stars from the Heineken Cup have been contacted by British and Irish Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward, as the former England boss aims to cherry pick the best players the Isles have to offer ahead of this summer's tour to New Zealand.
Woodward will watch with interest as the fifth and sixth rounds of the elite European competition take place next month, as he makes his preparations for the prestigious international tour.
And Woodward has stepped up his preparations for the 2005 tour to New Zealand with an inspirational call to arms.
He has reportedly sent out a motivational pack, entitled the 'Power of Four', to 140 elite players in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland in an attempt to whet their collective appetite.
The list to whom the pack was sent is thought to have included the likes of retied international stars Martin Johnson and Lawrence Dallaglio, perhaps giving an insight into Woodward's thinking.
The release is set to be one of a series of six culminating when the tour begins in next year and by when his final squad of 44 will be known.
