In 2005, Sir Clive Woodward commissioned an anthem for the tour to New Zealand. It was called the Power of Four, and if the song is little remembered now, its title will be firmly embraced by the Lions in South Africa next year, not just reflecting the four countries which will make up the squad but the four men in charge: Ian McGeechan, Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley, who have all contributed to making Wasps the most successful club in England this decade.

Woodward was one of eight specialist coaches in New Zealand, when responsibilities were divided between the Saturday and midweek sides, but the Lions will be relying on half that number next year, backed up by a conditioning team headed by Craig White, who worked with Gatland in Ireland and at Wasps.

The Lions will lack preparation time before leaving for South Africa at the end of May. By having a management team where everyone is familiar with each other - and one which covers all four home unions with Gatland having coached Ireland and McGeechan Scotland while Edwards has spent most of his coaching career in England - the tight schedule will be in part compensated for.

"There has to be a unified approach," said McGeechan after his appointment earlier this year. "That means players and coaches working together, unique preparation for a unique tour. Players grow in a Lions context and everyone must feel that he has an equal chance. The Lions are special and you can't compare it with anything else you do as a player or coach. You need a tight group, players who can work together, coaches who can work together, with everybody getting the opportunity to make their mark."

It is a tightness which has served Wasps well this decade. They have won at least one trophy in each of the last six seasons, and if they have struggled in the opening weeks of this campaign, no one is yet betting that they will finish empty-handed. In contrast the Lions in 2001, under the now New Zealand coach Graham Henry, and again in 2005 lacked unity.

The common denominator was resentment felt by a number of players who found themselves lumped as midweekers from the start. Henry believed that, with time against him, he had to concentrate on the likely Test side from the off. Players like Matt Dawson and Austin Healey used their newspaper columns to express their displeasure, and while the Test series was alive until the final minute, Henry's reputation suffered, with even some of his Wales players turning against him.

He resigned as the Wales coach the following February. Woodward clamped down on dissent, making sure that all newspaper columns were vetted, but clumsy handling of Gavin Henson's omission from the Test side drew critical media attention and the appointment of Alastair Campbell to oversee media relations backfired.

McGeechan has said he will revert to the tradition of players sharing rooms, pairing different nationalities as far as possible. "Unity is critical, along with the ability to draw together," he said. "Sharing rooms is one of the things which has worked very well on Lions tours. It helps break down the barriers and I think it is as important to understand as much about each other off the field so they can have a real confidence on the field.

"Some players like their own quiet corners - others prefer to be social - but I think the most important thing is that everyone understands the characters that make up the squad. The Lions are seen by the Springboks and the All Blacks as the biggest rugby team that they will ever play. That's the added responsibility you take on and it is far more than a national jersey simply by what is attached to it by other countries."

A notable feature of the successful tour to Australia in 1989, McGeechan's first as coach having gone on two tours in the 1970s as a player, was the crucial part played by the midweek side. It was the same in South Africa eight years later and unity will be power again.

The Lions coaches

Ian McGeechan

Lion in South Africa 1974, New Zealand 1977. Winning Lions coach Australia 1989, SA 1997; lost in NZ 1993, 2005. Wasps director of rugby

Shaun Edwards

League player, union coach: success with Wasps and Wales

Warren Gatland left

All Black hooker; coach of Ireland and Wasps; Wales head coach

Rob Howley

Lion in 1997 and 2001; ex-Wasp; coach for Cardiff Blues and Wales

Craig White

Wales national squad performance manager; once of Wasps

Rhys Long

Wales head of performance analysis; has worked for Wasps