If you handed most aspiring young rugby players the choice between a Champions Cup clash against the English Premiership holders and a university rugby derby fixture against their nearest rivals, you would likely feel confident in guessing which one they would choose.
Sure, there may be some lengthy deliberations, but surely lure of top-tier European rugby would win out for most, if not all. Well, enter Joe Cowell who well and truly bucked this preconception.
The choice was put to the test last December when Cardiff Met captain Cowell was offered the chance to take on Harlequins at the Stoop, a week after he had answered Cardiff's emergency call with a 27-minute cameo against European champions Toulouse at the Arms Park.
