England coach Clive Woodward insisted the Lions came out of their first ever series defeat at the hands of Australia with credit.

A 29-23 loss at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney saw the tourists lose the Test series 2-1 - but Woodward was full of praise for the tamed Lions.

He told Sky Sports 1: "That match was just fantastic. I was amazed how strong they came through, the Lions. I thought they'd fade the last 20 minutes.

"I don't think they were necessarily beaten by a better team - it's just what happens.

"We've got to make sure when we finally go away again we do it better. I feel desperately sorry for the players - they've put a lot in to it."

Former Lions coach Ian McGeechan admitted it was Australia's control late in the game that condemned the Lions to defeat after a long tour Down Under.

He said: "The Australians control the possession in the last half. For all the six or seven weeks of rugby it all came down to the last parts of the very last match.

"That is they difference between losing a series and winning one. I think the quality of rugby has been outstanding - we have a lot to be proud of.

"If you look at the quality of rugby the Lions have played - the thing that's happened now is our rugby is actually very good."

Australian legend Michael Lynagh said: "It was a great series here and a wonderful win by Australia.

"It was a really tough series and we came back from the first test when we were totally outplayed. It was a great thing for Australian rugby."

Woodward would not be drawn on any future input into the Lions, insisting his main focus is to ensure England seal the Six Nations this autumn

He said: "The Lions is a magnificent thing but it's every four years. I'm very confident we can succeed in November."

Lynagh insisted the perceived gap between northern and southern hemisphere rugby has now all but disappeared.

He said: "The Lions were four nations together but no there's not that gap. I don't think this gap between northern and southern hemisphere is as vast as everyone thinks."