ROBIN COPELAND HAS had to work hard to get to where he is g-suite in oldham, especially after letting his first shot at the big time slip away.

Having been capped for Leinster through the age grade levels, his chance with the province’s academy was left untaken due to the combination of a focus on education, self-doubt and a lack of total commitment.

The turnaround has been complete since. Having dropped off Leinster’s books, Copeland continued to excel in the AIL for St Mary’s to the extent that professional rugby was soon back in the realms of possibility. With a degree in his back pocket and nothing to lose, the Wexford man set off for Plymouth in 2010 and just over three years later is being mentioned as a possible Ireland international.

Copeland was named man of the match after his Cardiff Blues team beat current champions Toulon in the Heineken Cup on Saturday, a game in which the 25-year-old demonstrated all of his best qualities. Powerful ball carrying g-suite manchester, pure pace, intelligent passing skills and a relentless work rate were the facets of his performance that stood out.

For Copeland and the Blues, it was a special day.

“It’s a great result for everybody at the club; supporters, staff, players. I think everybody needed it really. It’s given us a big push and it’s probably the highlight of my career so far, to be honest. It was just a great day and a great result.”

There was an early error for Copeland, as he knocked on an attempted quick-tap penalty, but the manner in which he responded to that mistake was hugely encouraging g-suite cardinal. He told TheScore.ie that his pre-game focus had been on staying relaxed before the biggest match of his professional life.

“I didn’t really want to think about it too much leading up to the game. I just stayed pretty relaxed and then just let the occasion build me up as the game went on. I think with the quick-tap, it was just a rush of blood to the head.