Exeter Chiefs: Rob Baxter offers positive update on scrum-half duo amidst injury crisis
Scrum-halves Niall Armstrong and Stu Townsend are nearing a return to full training
Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has issued a positive update on scrum-halves Stu Townsend and Niall Armstrong, with the number nines nearing a return to full training.
Two-time Premiership winner, Townsend, has had his fair share of injury problems during his career, and has yet to feature this campaign. Elsewhere, Armstrong started their opener against Leicester Tigers, but was withdrawn early into the first-half with an ankle injury.
Positive updates on scrum-half Armstrong
Commenting on Armstrong, Baxter said his injury wasn’t as bad as it first looked, and detailed he is ‘quickly’ progressing with his rehab.
“Not too bad, no operation required,” said Baxter. “He’s getting on quickly with his rehab, and he shouldn’t be more than a couple of weeks; so that’s really good news as it wasn’t as bad as it first looked.”
Armstrong is another member of the Chiefs’ senior squad who has progressed through the Exeter University pathway, and he made his first-team debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup last season. He has made a further 12 appearances for Exeter, scoring three tries in the process.
Townsend ‘pretty much in full training’
Commenting on Townsend, Baxter said he’s ‘pretty much in full training’, but will need to make sure he passes each stage of his return to play process.
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“Stu is not quite in full training, but we’re getting there,” Baxter said. “It’s a difficult one as it’s more of a medical update on Stu, but he’s pretty much in full training.”
He added: “With him getting through full training periods and him being declared fit to move through the next stages, that’s going to determine when he’ll be back playing.”
After progressing through the club’s academy, Townsend made his senior debut in the 2016/17 season and has gone on to play 106 games for the Chiefs. In that time, the scrum-half has also won two Premierships, two Premiership Rugby Cups and one Champions Cup title.
Update on Jacques Vermeulen
Elsewhere, Baxter detailed further positive news on star flanker Jacques Vermeulen, who is also nearing a return to the squad after picking up a knee injury in pre-season.
“Jacques is close now, which is obviously good news,” Baxter said on the South African powerhouse.
