Don Armand calls time on his playing career

Long-serving Exeter Chiefs forward Don Armand has today announced he will be retiring at the end of the current season.

Armand joined Exeter in 2013 from the Stormers, the 33-year-old forward has since established himself as one of the club's modern-day legends, helping them to both domestic and European glory.

After 193 appearances and 37 tries, Armand is now calling time on his nine-year stint at Sandy Park and will focus his attentions on family life and business matters away from the club.

"I've had a while to think about it because it wasn't an easy decision," Armand told exeterchiefs.co.uk.

"Having done that, I know this is the right thing for me and my family. Bringing to an end a lifetime of rugby, it does fill me with sadness, but equally I go away with so many happy memories.

"There's no doubt playing the game has made me a way better person than if I went down another route in life. I've had so many valuable life lessons, all of which have an influence on you as a person, and it's those lessons I will use for the next chapter in my life."

In 2016, Armand was selected for the England Saxons' tour of South Africa before he was named as a late addition to England's tour of Argentina following James Haskell's Lions call up in 2017.

Armand won his test cap for England on 10 June 2017 in their 34-38 victory over Argentina, coming on as a substitute in the second half. A

He earned a second cap during the 2018 Six Nations in England's defeat to Ireland.

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