Competition is key, insists Armand

By Mark Stevens
9/2/17

Exeter Chiefs flanker Don Armand is relishing the chance to take on Aviva Premiership Rugby table-toppers Wasps at Sandy Park and believes competition in the squad has aided their preparation.

The Chiefs are one of the league’s form sides, notching up 25 points in their last six league outings but will face a stern test when they welcome Dai Young’s men to the south west.

Armand is confident they have attacking weapons all over the field and the quality of their preparation will stand them in good stead for Sunday’s showdown (1pm).

He said: “I think it is good because the way we are prepping, we have two teams training outside that really want to give it a go, everyone wants to be involved.

“With a home game at the weekend, we are very excited. We know the crowd is going to be a big factor and it is something we are looking forward to.

“There is a lot of energy going around. Some guys have been able to take their foot off the gas and get to focus on what they need to focus on with some extra time off.

“The guys that haven’t been playing that have now got some game time are showing that they are really hungry and I think it is a really good mix.”

After securing an Anglo-Welsh Cup semi final with a win over Bristol Rugby, Armand insists his side is now fully focussed on the next block of Aviva Premiership Rugby fixtures.

The Chiefs will be looking to avenge their opening round defeat to Wasps in Coventry and said there is an excitement within the camp in the build up to Round 14.

He said: “Of course we are relishing the game against Wasps, it is always a big game when we play them. If you look at the way their season has gone, they are top of the table for a reason. You never know what they are going to bring because they are such a strong attacking side. It’s a home game and we have had a bit of a break from the Aviva Premiership Rugby so there will be excitement all over.”

Armand is aware of Wasps’ strengths but knows the quality of the league has improved massively since his arrival in 2013 and believes there is no place for complacency in any match.

He said: “I think the way the Aviva Premiership Rugby is going, every team is competitive on the day so you can’t let yourself slip. We know that this is a top of the table clash and we need to get some points. But, the same thing happens when we play teams lower in the table, they want to come and take points off us.

“You have to respect each team in this league because they are capable of winning any game. The team in eighth is still only a few points away from fourth position and so we definitely have a lot of teams biting at our heels.

“The competition is really raising its standard, every week you see teams at the bottoms beating teams in the middle or at the top and that is the kind of thing you want.”