Armand's week to remember
By Mark Stevens
26/2/19
It was little wonder Don Armand was all smiles on Saturday night.
Not only had the England international just helped Exeter Chiefs return to the top of the Gallagher Premiership with victory over Newcastle Falcons, but just days earlier he and wife Rayanne were celebrating welcome a new addition, son Monty, to their family.
It was quite the week for the 30-year-old forward, who having missed out in Exeter’s narrow loss at Gloucester the previous week, was back to help guide the Chiefs to an 11th league win of the season at Sandy Park.
Although not on the scoresheet, the Harare-born back-rower played a key role for Rob Baxter’s side in inflicting further woe on the Falcons, who sit bottom of the Premiership pile, nine points adrift of the Bristol Bears.
Converted tries from Santiago Cordero, Jack Yeandle, Olly Woodburn, Nic White and Greg Holmes were the highlights in the 35-17 success, but now Armand insists he and his team-mates must plough on, starting with this weekend’s trip to Sale Sharks.
“Sale is always a tough place to go, that’s why we need games like the last two to really prepare us,” said Armand. “We’ve got this week and next away from home, so getting the result against Newcastle was very important for us.
“Now, we’ve got to go and put in a similar performance away from home. We can’t use being away as an excuse for losing or under-performing. Right now, we’re pushing hard because there is still a long way to go. Our focus is all about performing, getting results and really building some momentum for what will be the business end of the season.
“Yes, we’re top of the league and in a great place right now, but we know we can’t afford any kind of slip-ups.”
Buoyed by Saturday’s success and the birth of his latest child, it was a beaming Armand who addressed the media at the final whistle.
“Before kick-off my wife said to me to go out and make Monty proud, to which I replied ‘no real pressure then!’ But, for all of us it was good to go out there and get the win. We went out with a real buzz and a real energy about us. It was our first home game in a while, so having the supporters at our back makes a massive difference.
“It was also the perfect way to bounce back after the previous week up at Gloucester. People can say we didn’t quite hit our straps up there in that game, but that’s taking away from what Gloucester brought to the game. In sport you sometimes create your own luck and that’s what they did come the end. We’ve done it before ourselves and they did it that night, so you have to give them credit for that.
“You saw with our result and then how they followed it up by beating Saracens, they are a real contender in the Premiership, so they are not someone you can take lightly.”
And it will be a similar scenario this weekend for the Chiefs when they make the trek to the AJ Bell Stadium, a venue which is regarded as tough as it gets for visiting teams.
The Sharks have won their last four home games in the Premiership on home soil, but have not won five in succession at home in the tournament since 2008. The Chiefs, meanwhile, have lost just one of their last eight fixtures against the Sharks, that coming in February 2016 when they were beaten 23-17 at the AJ Bell Stadium.