Warren Gatland has said that he is excited by the potential of a British and Irish Lions team, despite recent results in the Autumn Internationals.
Only Ireland have beaten one of the four teams from the Rugby Championship, having thrashed Argentina last weekend.
The Lions coach told Sky Sports News: "A lot of us are disappointed with the autumn but it's a reminder that the southern hemisphere teams have come out of a pretty tough tournament and they've been together a long time.
"That is a struggle that will be the challenge with the Lions, the first time the team is going to be together is getting on the plane.
"What I am still excited about is the potential that a Lions team has. Ireland have looked pretty strong."
England and Wales each have one game remaining in the series, with New Zealand going to Twickenham and Australia visiting the Millennium Stadium this Saturday.