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Niall Armstrong the latest player to commit to Exeter
By Josh Raisey
Scrum-half Niall Armstrong has become the latest Exeter Chiefs player to sign a contract extension at Sandy Park.
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The 24-year-old follows in the footsteps of Tommy Wyatt and Ben Hammersley, who both put pen to paper last week. Like Hammersley, the Northern Irishman Armstrong is also a recruit from the University of Exeter.
The former Ulster academy product is nearing the end of his debut campaign in the Gallagher Premiership, although it has been a season blighted by injury, chiefly a dislocated shoulder in December. As a result, he has only managed eleven appearances to date.
He is fit and firing currently though, and came off the bench in Exeter’s recent 38-17 win against Gloucester in the Premiership.
“I’ve loved my first season with Chiefs,” Armstrong said after signing the new deal.
“The environment Rob [Baxter] and the rest of the coaches have created here is one that has allowed me to grow and learn so much as a player. While at the same time getting invaluable Premiership exposure so early on in my career.
“I’m delighted to be able to continue my time here and I’m very excited for what the future holds for us as a group. There’s a real feeling that we’re in the process of building something special.”
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Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter added: “We’re delighted to have Niall staying as part of our young group of players. He’s been a great addition to the squad through what has proven to be a valuable pathway for us through the university.
“He was the university’s first choice nine, he came here on an opportunity, and he has progressed with us fantastically well. He’s broken through into the Premiership team, playing very well in those games.
“He’s another guy that picked up a relatively serious injury during the season but it’s great to have him back fighting fit now and involved in our remaining games of the season.”
