Armand praises squad effort
By Mark Stevens
24/10/17
Don Armand says Exeter’s recent victories in the European Champions Cup are down to a “massive squad effort” by the entire Chiefs squad.
Back-to-back wins over Glasgow Warriors and Montpellier have given Rob Baxter’s side a dream start to their Pool 3 exploits - and put them in a hugely encouraging position to attack the remainder of the competition, which resumes next in December when the Devon club entertain leaders Leinster on successive weekends.
Fresh from beating previously unbeaten Glasgow in their European opener at Sandy Park a fortnight ago, the Chiefs followed that 24-15 triumph up by then downing Montpellier 27-24 on their own patch on Sunday.
Helping to lead the visiting charge was England international Armand, who helped himself to two of Exeter’s three tries at the Altrad Stadium.
The in-form back-row forward claimed Exeter’s opening try in the first half, before the visitors struck twice more after the break through centre Ian Whitten and Armand again to claim only their second-ever Champions Cup victory in France.
Armand’s man-of-the-match display not only secured a vital away victory for the reigning English champions, but further pressed his own claims to be included in Eddie Jones’ upcoming national squad for the Autumn internationals.
“It’s a big win for us and it definitely shows we are learning from past experiences,” said Armand. “Last week [against Glasgow] was a big test for us and we had to show our mettle against them. It was the same this week, here we were coming to a team who were right at the top of the league in France, playing at a big stadium, against a very strong side.
“We talked all week about what we would need to bring to the game and what we would need to do to get a result here. As I said, we are a much different side now to say a few seasons ago. By that I mean, we’re not so much of a deer in the headlights these days. Now, we know how to focus our minds, switch off to certain things, and just play our game.
“Perhaps in the past we would have come here and not done so well, but instead we’ve come here, stuck to our task, showed our mettle again and come away with a win.”
And although Baxter stuck with a largely unchanged match-day squad for both European games, Armand insists the work done in the build-up to the two matches from the entire playing squad hasproved significant in the end results.
“It’s not just the guys from one to 23, a lot of hard work goes in from all the guys in the squad and not enough praise is given to them,” he added. “Yes, guys who start and those who come off the bench get the main praise, but inwardly we know we wouldn’t be able to do it without the guys numbered 24 to whatever.
“Our success is down to a massive squad effort from everyone and long may that continue.”
Although trailing at half-time and for a period during the second half, the Chiefs rallied defiantly as a group and for the final quarter of an absorbing contest, it was the English club who offered the greater threat.
“The game swung in momentum during certain phases of the game,” explained Armand. “However, it definitely swung towards us during the second half, especially towards the end of the game. The guys really lifted things at that stage and it was down to all of us to turn that effort into points.”
Sunday’s success means the Chiefs are now unbeaten in their last three fixtures in all competitions and will head to Sale Sharks on Friday evening brimming with confidence as they look to maintain their top two placing in the Premiership with another victory.
Despite just a five-day turnaround between the two games, Armand is aware of the importance of this latest match-up, adding: “We’re getting to the stage now where every game we play, whatever competition it is, that game is going to be a huge game for us.
“As players, I don’t think we would have it any other way. As a team, we want to playing in competitive games and challenging for honours on all fronts. Sale, we know, will pose a real threat to us. They’ve shown a few times this season, most recently against Gloucester - where they notched up a heap of points - what can happen if you don’t pitch up in the right frame of mind.
“What we have to make sure of ahead of kick-off is that if there are any excuses that come into our head, those are dealt with and left behind before we travel up there. Come Friday, we have to be fully focused again on the task ahead and show what we are capable of as a side.”