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.
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🔏𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 | Dragons are delighted to announce the signing of scrum-half Niall Armstrong who has joined ahead of the 🆕 season. 🏉
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.”
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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.
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.”
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