The 22-year-old has been a revelation in the first two tests of the summer against South Africa and Argentina providing a solid platform with his scrummaging. And with the World Cup just 15 months away Lewis is doing his chances of selection no harm.
“Boys like myself have definitely got World Cup selection in mind especially with the World Cup just around the corner,” he said.
“The coaches have got one eye on the competition and it’s great for boys like myself to have this exposure to put our hands up for the World Cup.
“For me it’s massively beneficial now to have this exposure and work underneath the coaches. They can get an idea of what you are like as a player.
“It’s 15 months away from a World Cup so these games can be a big factor in selection.” Despite only appearing intermittently for the Cardiff Blues this season due to injury Lewis is confident his experiences on tour will stand him in good stead next season.
And the powerful scrummager is hoping he has done enough to start a third test match in succession.
“If someone told before I went away that I would start two games I would have told them that they were talking rubbish,” said Lewis.
“It would be a massive achievement for me to get a third start against Argentina. For me I go into the games just trying to do as best as I can.
“I’d like to think that I’ve out my hand up for next week. From a personal point of view I’ve had a lot of frustrations throughout the season with injuries and a lack of game time.
“Coming into this environment you’ve just got to try and take on board as much as you can as quickly as you can. There’s not a lot of time for thinking and you are chucked in at the deep end. To be around these coaches and these experienced players is priceless especially a young and inexperienced tighthead like myself.”
