"Why have I put so much effort into this Lions tour? It's very simple. The Lions have been to New Zealand 10 times and lost nine. Not a great record.
"To have any chance of winning we have to be at our very very best. Clearly it is an enormous challenge.
"The players here have been successful but if the British & Irish Lions were to win the Test series in New Zealand it would surpass any achievement any of us have achieved in the past.
"I believe we can win. We have world class players and the challenge in the coming weeks is to blend them into a world class side."
That confidence is shared by flanker Neil Back, despite the lacklustre 25-25 draw with Argentina in Cardiff on Monday which opened the campaign.
"A lot has been said about Argentina but you have to remember you don't play Tests at the beginning of the tour, you play them at the end when everyone has been together," said Back, who is on his third Lions tour.
"Those guys had three days and I thought it was a good platform to build on. "I have a positive feeling about this tour already. I've been on three tours and the guys have already gelled on this one. The competition is very healthy. There have been no distraction from our focus on winning."
Meanwhile, England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall hopes his recall for tomorrow's match against the Barbarians at Twickenham will herald a permanent return to the England fold.
Last season saw the 30-year-old lose his place in the team to Harry Ellis and Gomarsall said: "It was a massive hole for me not being involved in the Six Nations. This is a great opportunity."
