A first Ashes series for almost 20 years is a big occasion and Hull KR head coach Willie Peters – who will be part of the Kangaroos’ backroom team for the series – believes Lewis’ performance on the Grand Final stage was a pivotal moment in his career.

“I said out there that Mikey Lewis has arrived and what I meant was, that was a big moment,” Peters told BBC Radio Humberside.

“It doesn’t get bigger than a Grand Final and he owned that first half.

“He cops a lot but it just shows the type of player we’ve got, who he is and what he’s about.

“He’s had massive games this year but in terms of Grand Finals he was ready for that and he stood up and I’m so proud given what he has to cop.

“But he’s grown so much and he was a difference.”

Salford Red Devils boss Paul Rowley thinks that despite a crowded line-up of players bidding to start, Lewis has convincingly made his case.

“Mikey Lewis is shouting from the rooftops ‘pick me’, or ‘don’t pick me if you dare’,” Rowley told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He’s saying he can do it, he’s a big player and he’s doing it on the big stage.

“He was deservedly man of the match, he was fantastic.

“Mikey Lewis has got to be in there somewhere, but it’s hard to squeeze all these good players in – there are only a few positions for quite a few players.”