Latest news with #NiallArmstrong
The 42
06-08-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Irish scrum-half Niall Armstrong swaps Exeter Chiefs for URC's Dragons
THE DRAGONS HAVE confirmed the signing of former Ulster academy scrum-half Niall Armstrong from Exeter Chiefs. Armstrong, 25, made his debut for the West-of-England club in September 2023 and went on to make 20 first-team appearances for the Chiefs across two seasons. Armstrong made just seven of those appearances last season, however, with an ankle injury hampering his progress. He has swapped Sandy Park for Rodney Parade in search of more first-team rugby. 🔏𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 | Dragons are delighted to announce the signing of scrum-half Niall Armstrong who has joined ahead of the 🆕 season. 🏉 We are 'Over the Moon' that the Belfast-born half-back is a Dragon! 🐉#WeAreGwentRugby — Dragons RFC 🐉 (@dragonsrfc) August 6, 2025 Advertisement Armstrong won back-to-back Ulster Schools Cups with RBAI in 2016 and 2017 — where he was a teammate of Michael Lowry's — before joining the Ulster Rugby academy. After being cut loose by his native province, he went on to attend Exeter University at third level, captaining the college's first XV and winning two national intervarsity titles. At the Dragons, Armstrong will compete for scrum-half minutes with Wales international Rhodri Williams, Dragons academy graduates Che Hope and Morgan Lloyd, and Wales U20 Logan Franklin. 'I'm really excited to join the Dragons and embrace the opportunity to challenge myself in a new environment, playing rugby in Wales,' Armstrong said. 'The club has put together a strong, talented squad ahead of the new season, and I'm eager to play a key role in helping us achieve success on the field. 'The chance to compete in the United Rugby Championship and face top-level opposition is one I'm relishing. 'The hard work starts now with pre-season, and I'm really looking forward to meeting the supporters at Rodney Parade and proudly representing Gwent rugby.' Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia added: 'Niall is a talented and driven scrum half and we're already enjoying having him within the environment. 'I'm excited to see him kick on and take his opportunity with us over the upcoming season.'
BBC News
06-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Dragons sign former Exeter scrum-half Armstrong
Dragons have signed Irish scrum-half Niall Armstrong after his departure from 25-year-old has trained with the Rodney Parade side throughout pre-season and replaces Dane Blacker, who has returned to played for Ulster Youth and earned a chance in the Premiership as part of Chiefs' partnership with the University of Belfast-born scrum-half made 20 appearances for the Devon side and will now aim to make his mark in the United Rugby Championship (URC) with Dragons. Armstrong will contest the number nine jersey with Wales international Rhodri Williams."I'm really excited to join the Dragons and embrace the opportunity to challenge myself in a new environment, playing rugby in Wales," Armstrong said."The club has put together a strong, talented squad ahead of the new season and I'm eager to play a key role in helping us achieve success on the field."Williams is Dragons' first-choice scrum-half and Armstrong provides a more experienced rival along with homegrown 22-year-olds Che Hope and Morgan Lloyd, plus Wales Under-20s cap Logan coach Filo Tiatia said: "Niall is a talented and driven scrum-half and we're already enjoying having him within the environment."Dragons have had an extensive summer recruitment drive after finishing bottom of the URC table last season, with Armstrong their 14th senior have also brought in Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Robert Hunt, Seb Davies, Levi Douglas, Thomas Young, Harry Beddall, Mackenzie Martin, Tinus de Beer, Jac Lloyd, Fetuli Paea, Fine Inisi and David Richards.
