England were blitzed by New Zealand over two Tests before enduring further humiliation in Australia last Saturday when the Wallabies handed them a 51-15 thrashing at the Suncorp Stadium.

There were mitigating circumstances given that it was a weakened England team which took to the field for all three matches and the world champions were clearly exhausted after a long season.

With the World Cup over for another three years fatigue should be less of a factor next season but Woodward is still determined to avoid burn-out before the 10-match tour.

Englands tour was tough because it was a long hard season and we were a battered, tired team, he said.

The biggest thing I have got to get across to the Lions players is that we have got to go to New Zealand next June fresh and if we dont we are all wasting our time. The Lions cant afford to arrive there in the state England were.

We were tired because of the World Cup - we put all our efforts into that. But next season is a normal year. I believe if we manage this properly we can arrive with a fresh team next June.