"It was all about coaching, physical preparation, tactical preparation, the psyche of New Zealand, what they found out, what players they felt could be flustered, how they would get at them. Really good, detailed stuff, the players thought about it a lot. And it will become a dossier that is important for us going forward."
Asked if the information would improve his chances of beating New Zealand - England play Steve Hansen's side at Twickenham next autumn - he said: "Massively. It [the Lions tour] is one of the greatest sporting events. Our players have been lucky enough to be part of a successful tour and they've learned a lot, grown a lot. You get some physical downside from it, which we're seeing at the moment. We're getting some mental downside from it. So, we want to ensure that what the Lions have learned, they retain and pass on to the other players."
The benefit of the Lions' experience to England's cause was not restricted to the players. Steve Borthwick, one of the key figures of Warren Gatland's coaching team who was also highly regarded by the players on the tour, has returned with his coaching ability enhanced. "He learnt a lot," Jones added. "Last Wednesday, our coaching staff went to Ealing, did a session with them to practise coaching because we haven't coached together since the end of the Six Nations.
"We did a practice session, and you can just see in Steve the growth in him, because he's had that experience with the Lions, made some mistakes, coached some really good players. He had feedback from good players on what he's done well, what he hasn't done well. That's been a great experience for him."
The Rugby Football Union unveiled an ambitious strategic plan last Tuesday, including the target of winning the World Cup in Japan and an aspiration to become the strongest team sport in England.
Suggestions that it might intensify the pressure on Jones, however, were dismissed by the England coach.
"Strategic plans are for administrators and I am not an administrator," Jones said. "It doesn't really affect me too much. What I like about it is, it sets a tone for the game and sets a tone for the game wanting to be better, and I love that.
"What Steve Brown has cleverly done is set a dream for rugby, and that is fantastic. It has set its dream, set its stall - you want to be as good as you can. There is no harm in failing.
"It is like us going to the World Cup. If we do everything right and we don't win there is no harm in that, as long as you put your best foot forward."
