20 Questions: Don Armand – Exeter flanker

How was the off-season?
I went back to South Africa with the family which was good but not as relaxing as you’d think having to go around seeing everyone!
Has pre-season started in earnest at Exeter yet?
Yes on Monday. But because it’s such a long pre-season it started gently.
What do you expect from it?
We’ll train as much as we did in previous years but there will be more emphasis on recovery periods in between blocks of training.
Looking to avoid a burnout before the season even started then?
Definitely. Rehab and prehab will be very important over the next three months to make sure we don’t ignore any little niggle that could arise.
What are your expectations for the season?
I think we have quite high expectations. You can’t go and say exactly where you’ll finish but we’ve come a long way as a club and if we don’t do well we’ll disappoint ourselves. We showed last season that we could compete in the big games but we’ve got to make sure we’re consistent.
Getting the double over Northampton and Saracens must have been a big confidence boost?
It was huge but then we ended up losing against teams below us in the league. We’ve got to leave that underdogs mindset behind us now and step up to the plate. With the Champions Cup coming to Sandy Park too there are some big games in store and we’ll have to be ready.
Did that mindset drag you down in the past?
Not really but we have to get our heads around the fact that we’re good enough to play at this level rather than think we’re lucky to be there.
Will that help you break into the top four?
That’s the final goal of course but you have to break the season into blocks, set objectives for each and take it from there.
What about the Champions Cup with Clermont, Ospreys and Bordeaux-Begles in your pool?
It’ll be tough but it’s also a very exciting pool. There’ll be some very gruelling matches but it’s an opportunity for us to do well. Hopefully we can step up and get to the quarter-finals this time.
You must be looking forward to that trip to Clermont?
It will be one of the biggest games of the season but luckily it won’t be the first time we travel to a big European club having had Toulon and Leinster in our pool two years ago.
Met your new rival Julian Salvi this week?
Yes I did. It’ll be great to have more competition in the back-row. We’ve always had that since I joined the Chiefs and Julian will only add to it. It’ll be great for everyone.
Some very good signings by the Chiefs this summer?
Definitely. Everyone will have to back themselves in knowing that the competition is good for the team.
Excited about the World Cup?
It’ll be great especially with the tournament being in England. We have a few boys in the England squad too so I’ll be cheering them on.
Even if they play South Africa?
The result will be good for me either way but I’ll probably cheer on England and my mates. It’s always different when you’re emotionally involved. It becomes more personal then.
Must be happy Jean de Villiers is back for the Springboks though?
Everyone is surprised he’s back so soon but it’ll be a big boost for them. He’s a terrific player and is so important to the team as captain, especially with No.8 Duane Vermeulen undergoing neck surgery this week.
Favourite cheat meal?
Cookies and milk especially after a game or on a Sunday. I can easily polish off a whole pack in one sitting.
What annoys you the most in life?
I like to correct people when they don’t structure their sentence properly. I get that from my mum.
Three special dinner guests?
Mike Tyson, Robert Mugabe and Bobby Skinstad, who was my idol growing up.
Best and worst banter at Exeter?
Kyle Horstman is the best and Jerry Sexton is by far the worst. He just tries too hard.
Best and worst dressed?
Will Chudley our scrum-half is the best dressed – he always looks very snazzy. Ben White wears some ridiculous outfits, though, so he is the worst.