The Lions management are in New Zealand as they look to tie up any loose ends before the tour begins this summer.
John Spencer, the 1971 Lion, who will mange the 2017 tour, speaking to yorkshirepost.co.uk, said: “We’re going out on Thursday to do another recce with the heads of department and the head coach. That will be to tie up some loose ends with hotels, training venues, transport and gyms, but also visiting sponsors and meeting with the New Zealand RU to sort out one or two final details.
“We’ll be going to some schools and hospitals as well, engaging with the communities as it’s very important that the Lions are not just seen as a rugby team only focused on rugby.
“We have to encourage and inspire people to get better, play the game, or play it better," he added.
Looking ahead to the challenge posed by the world champions, Spencer said: “The All Blacks are more seamless than anyone in terms of continuity.
“They have taken the game to a higher level, which they seem to do every year, so we have to maintain the chase, as it were. “It’s a huge challenge to beat them on their own territory when they’re back-to-back world champions and two of the Tests are at a ground (Eden Park) where no one else has won since 1994.
“But the bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity for players and, more importantly, the Lions.”
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