Chiefs out for revenge - Armand

By Howard Lloyd
30/4/2016

Don Armand says Exeter Chiefs are keen to avenge their European Champions Cup quarter-final loss to Wasps in their crunch Premiership clash on Sunday (1pm).

Jimmy Gopperth's conversion with the last kick of the game sent the Devon club tumbling out of Europe as Wasps edged a thrilling contest 25-24 nearly three weeks ago.

Rob Baxter's side have the chance to make up for that gut-wrenching defeat on Sunday at Sandy Park in a game which could prove pivotal in deciding who claims second place – and a home semi-final – in the end-of-season Premiership standings.

"Coming off our result away in the quarter-final, everyone here is very keen to get into them," said Armand, 27.

"I think everyone is quite excited about it. It is potentially our last home game and we know there is a lot riding on it.

"Being a second-versus-third battle, it is a very fair match and I think it is quite an exciting match to look forward to, particularly for the fans."

Wasps head into the game on a terrific run. They have only lost one of their last 12 Premiership matches, and two of their previous 14 in all competitions.

As for Exe, their form has wavered slightly with three losses in their last four games, but Zimbabwe-born back-rower Armand is not reading much into those defeats.

"I wouldn't say our recent form is a concern. If you look at the games – especially the Wasps one, which could have gone either way – I wouldn't worry about our form," said the former Stormers player. "Everyone goes through dips and we just have to make sure we react at the weekend.

"It is not like we have been playing badly, it is just one or two things that have not gone our way and they have been big moments."

"I think we are definitely two evenly-matched sides," he continued. "It is a great challenge because we have a pretty good defence and they have a good attack. It will be second and third going at it and trying to produce some very good rugby on the day."

Victory for Exe would by no means assure them of a home semi-final.

The Devon club still have to travel to The Stoop for what will probably be Conor O'Shea's last Premiership match with Harlequins.

Given that Wasps host Worcester in their last regular season game, Exeter would more than likely need to win on the final day to hold on to second should they emerge victorious on Sunday.

For Wasps the equation is simple – a bonus-point win will guarantee them second.

And Armand says that having a clear picture of what is required should make Sunday's task that little bit easier.

He said: "It is always good knowing exactly what you have to do. It makes the end of the season very exciting.

"Obviously if we do win this weekend then that still does not secure us second spot. We still have to make sure we win away at Quins.

"Wasps could still jump in front of us, so it does make it exciting. Some players might like that scenario and others might not but everyone just has to perform at the end of the day and we just have to be up for the semi-finals, whether they are at home or away."

Exeter are at least guaranteed a place in the top-four for the first time in their six seasons in the top flight.

It represents a huge moment in the club's history – but does not come without its pressures.

"Being in the semis is all new for us. There is pressure off us because we have a semi-final spot but pressure on because we know that we have to perform now," said Armand. "It is the first time we've been in the semis so it'll be interesting to see as a club how we go."