November 2, 2019, 8pm - the date of the final at the Yokohoma Stadium - is when Jones wants England to peak. The next 906 days of groundwork will be geared towards that moment and Jones believes the pool games will be perfect preparation.
"No one wants to get ahead of themselves but you need to be right for the finals," said Jones.
"At the moment, France are not a fit team but they've got big, talented ball-runners. As soon as they get an offload, their speed changes from a Vauxhall Viva to a BMW M5. Argentina are not as physical but more dextrous with passing.
"My experience of the World Cup is that to win two tough games is the best preparation. There's no better rivalry than England and France, is there? The draw's good for us because it will keep us on our toes. To make the final we have to win four very tough games so anyone calling it the Pool of Death can leave the room."
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, however, was one such culprit but - with a leading role in the ceremony at the Kyoto State Guest House - had no intention of leaving. The Kiwi experienced al-together better fortunes when pooled with South Africa, Italy, the leading African nation, possibly Nambia, and the repechage winner.
"England are getting better all the time but they're in a really strong pool," said Hansen.
"Everyone will be saying Pool C is the Pool of Death and Pool A or Pool B are a little easy. You're either in an easy pool or a tough pool. I think we get to play them before, so that'll give us a pretty good guideline."
Should England progress to the knockout stages - having failed to do so in 2015 - they must swim through further shark-infested waters to reach their first final since 2007.
Wales or Australia potentially await in the quarter-final, having been drawn in Pool D with Georgia, Fiji and Canada, based on Oceania and Americas standings.
Adding to the collective glee at England's tough assignment, Warren Gatland was quick to point out that 'Pool C looks quite tough' after attending the draw in a Wales capacity.
"We're pretty happy with it," said Gatland, who was on Japanese soil for only 17 hours because of Lions commitments in London.
"It's better than our 2015 draw, anyway! We're quite lucky because we play Australia and Georgia in November. We pencilled in warm-ups against Ireland and England, so we won't have to cancel those.
"There shouldn't be too much change in our squad between now and then. If you look at our age profile, we picked a number of young players quite a few years ago who could go on to 2019. It's almost identical to Ireland and England's age profile. We're lucky because we've got a significant amount of experience and caps."
Things will not get easier for England in the semi-final, where the All Blacks could await as they bid for a third successive crown.
"New Zealand deserve to be clear favourites," said Jones. "Look at their record in the last two World Cups and the talent and depth they have been producing since. We're under the whip just trying to keep up. They love the Kiwis here, so they will get five-star treatment. We have to aim for four-star."
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend, on only his second day in the job, will be optimistic after being drawn with Ireland, Japan, a second-tier European nation and the winner of a play-off.
As France coach Guy Noves conceded: "England were, along with New Zealand, the scarecrow that everyone wanted to avoid."
