Welsh scrum-half Mike Phillips has said that being around the British and Irish Lions squad brings out the best in his game.
The Bayonne star was one of the standout performers on the last tour four years ago, when Ian McGeechan's side lost 2-1 to South Africa and now wants to become part of a series-winning team.
"The Lions is the ultimate," the 30-year-old told Sky Sports News. "You want to play the best and, fortunately for me, I thought I played some of my best stuff [in South Africa].
"You are surrounded by great players as well, which tends to bring out the best in you. You don't want to let anyone down. You know what big occasions they are and what they mean to everyone.
"I was pretty pleased with my performances [in 2009] but I have got to go one step further now, top those performances and be part of a Test series-winning team."
The Lions have not tasted series victory since 1997, when they defeated South Africa 2-1 in the first tour to the country since the end of the apartheid system.
Michael Penkman
