Armand's raring to go

By Mark Stevens

Don Armand says he cannot wait to experience his first taste of Aviva Premiership rugby when he lines up in the Exeter Chiefs squad to face Gloucester at Kingsholm this afternoon (2pm).

Having endured a frustrating start to life at Sandy Park following his summer switch from South African Super Rugby outfit, the Stormers, the 25-year-old forward admits he is keen to make up for lost time.

As one of seven new signings brought in by Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter during the summer, Armand's introduction to life in Devon was somewhat curtailed when he picked up a hamstring injury during the club's pre-season programme.

Sidelined for six weeks, the Harare-born forward has since worked tirelessly to get back into action and following two notable displays for the Exeter Braves in the A League, he nows finds himself firmly in the mix for today's test against the Cherry & Whites.

"I'm very excited to be involved, I didn't know how long it would take to get in the first team as the boys have all been playing very well," said Armand. "But it was great when Rob told me earlier in the week that I was going to be in the squad.

"The start of the season has been a little frustrating - what with the injury coming so soon after I arrived. It's never ideal when you're the new face at a club and that happens. You want to make you mark early on, so to pick up the injury was hugely disappointing.

"That said, the medical team and the rehab guys have been brilliant and they've got me back playing and that's the most important thing. Injuries are all part and parcel of playing rugby, so sometimes you have to just take it on the chin.

"Everyone at the club has been very supportive throughout and it's just meant that I've had to learn things that little bit quicker."

Certainly Armand has demonstrated in his two A League outings that he is a force to be reckoned with - and his inclusion in the Chiefs squad this afternoon certainly offers Baxter options off the bench, particularly as he is equally adept in either the second or back-rows.

And the player himself admits he is loving his new surroundings having played all his senior rugby back in South Africa.

"Aside from the injury, it's been great so far," added Armand. "Coming to the Chiefs has definitely lived up to expectations, probably more than I ever thought it would. It's a great club and what I like is that everybody does so much together here. We're like an extended family - on and off the field - and that's something you want to be involved with.

"Also the supporters are fantastic and you can see they love their rugby over here. Although I've only played in the A League and stood on the sidelines at home games, you can see the real passion they have in coming to the games. It will be great to have that support behind you are playing in a game."

And Armand will not have to wait long to see that support in full cry as the travelling Tribe are descending in numbers on Kingsholm today for what promises to be yet another epic encounter between the two clubs.