Sing when you're winning

By Phil Harlow

The performance of the All Blacks' traditional 'Haka' has always been an intimidating sight for opposition players.

Katherine Jenkins will perform the song at the Millennium Stadium

But for those on a succession of unsuccessful Lions tours (with the notable exception of 1971), it has been even worse.

Forced to watch massive New Zealanders perform a traditional war dance, the Lions players have had nothing of their own to sing back.

That's all about to change with the announcement of an "official song" for the forthcoming Lions tour.

"The Power of Four" was specially commissioned by coach Sir Clive Woodward, with composer Neil Myers penning the tune and lyrics (see below).

"It was a joint idea from the management team but it has Sir Clive's full backing," a Lions spokesman told BBC Sport.

"He was the one who actually decided to go with the idea and take it further."

Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins performed the song for the first time before the Lions' match against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium on Monday.

Woodward is renowned for his attention to the smallest of details in preparing his teams and said the song was part of his plan to lead the best-prepared Lions squad in history.

"I hope players and fans alike will welcome the fact that we have our own song," said Woodward.

• "From the four corners of our lands
  We're united, hand in hand
  Together
  We're stronger
  We join and proud we stand

• Now the day has come, we are one
  Standing tall for our Lions call
  We're stronger
  Together
  We are the power of four"

"It can be used to stir the passions and help build the phenomenal camaraderie that is developing between the players of the four countries who have come together as one."

The Lions spokesman said the recording is performed by the Melody Music Lions Choir, comprised of singers from each of the four countries.

So it's not the players all gathered round a microphone like one of the FA Cup classics?

"No, not at all."

Or the Anfield Rap?

"Certainly not."

The lyrics have been circulated to all the members of the tour squad, while the song has also been added to the playlist of the Lions ipods which have been given to all players and management.

"We've had a lot of positive feedback," the spokesman told BBC Sport.

"They seem to like it and we'll all know the words by the time we get to New Zealand."

There are no current plans to release the song as a single, but it will be made available to radio stations and the Lions are looking to enable fans to download the song via the internet.