Sunday showdown excites Amand

By Mark Stevens
07/04/18

As excitement builds ahead of the final weeks of the season, Don Armand insists he and his Exeter Chiefs team-mates won’t be getting carried away despite their lofty position at top of the Aviva Premiership table.

Three points clear of Saracens heading into Sunday’s home clash with Gloucester, the Chiefs know victory over the Cherry & Whites will not only help them avenge their last-gasp defeat at Kingsholm on the opening weekend, but at the same tim edge them to within touching distance of securing a potential home semi-final in the play-offs.

Buoyed by three successive league victories, plus last weekend’s securing of the Anglo-Welsh Cup for a second time, Rob Baxter’s side are beginning to find their rhythm at just the right time.

Looking to replicate the kind of run-in which drove them to a maiden English title last season, Armand says it’s imperative the Chiefs stick to task and produce big performances, starting with the visit of Gloucester to Sandy Park.

“It’s a fixture that people look forward to,” said the all-action forward, who will lead the Chiefs into battle. “There is a lot of history there and the games are always exciting games, quite physical, so it should be an exciting spectacle.

“Yes, we’ve had three big results, but we kinda have to look forward, not back. We have a few games left and we have to make sure we are hitting our stride at the right time. We want to get to higher places at the end of the season, so we have to start building in the right direction, starting this weekend.

“We know Gloucester are not an easy side, they’ve been picking up results and showing they can be contenders this season, so we have to make sure we pitch up, we’re on it from the outset, and we look to put our game on them.”

Jason Woodward’s last-minute try ensured Gloucester claimed the bragging rights in Round One with a 28-21 victory, but Armand is hopeful the Chiefs can respond with a big display of their own in front of a capacity crowd.

“They are a good side, but so are we,” added the England international. “From 1-15 on both sides there are some great players, so it should be an exciting game come the weekend.”