Among the other players Morley will be looking out for is Roosters forward Angus Crichton – “he’s such a handful, such a strong player” – and he acknowledges that Australia’s strength in depth creates a huge challenge for England.

“They are world champs and they have been the benchmark for a number of years, but the fact that it’s on home soil will be huge for the English,” he says. “It’s going to be a gripping, close three-game Test series.”

Australia have not lost an Ashes series since 1970, although they had to come from behind to win all three matches in 2003, including the opener, in which Morley was sent off after only 12 seconds for poleaxing Robbie Kearns.

“If he’d got up straight away, I don’t think I’d have got sent off,” he jokes.

“To be fair, it was a terrible challenge. It just happened so fast. It was a bit of a blur.”

Great Britain’s 2006 Tri-Nations win in Sydney is a much happier memory.

“It was the infamous night when Willie Mason was on a mission trying to take all the British players out,” he says.

“He punched Stuart Fielden and then did Sean Long with an even worse challenge. And I did think ‘Why’s he not been sent off and I was?’ But they let a little bit more go in these Test matches. It was great to be part of that.”

No British side has beaten the Kangaroos since then.

“It’s been a long time between drinks,” Morley says. “But if we can compete well and snatch a Test or two, it will be absolutely incredible and you’ll see the game go to new levels.”