FORMER Dragons back Phil Dollman is ready to help Exeter push for the double after signing a short-term deal to finish his remarkable Chiefs career.

The 35-year-old from Caerphilly headed to Devon in 2009 and will complete the 2019/20 campaign - his contract expired on June 30 - as Exeter go for the Premiership title and glory in the European Champions Cup.

Now primarily a full-back after moving from midfield, has made 240 appearances and helped the club rise from the English Championship to become champions in 2017 and win a pair of Anglo-Welsh Cups.

Now Dollman will get the chance to earn more silverware with Exeter scheduled for a return to the field on August 15 in the league and a European quarter-final against Northampton.

South Wales Argus:

"Fingers crossed we can get back to rugby soon," said Dollman, who was denied a first Wales cap on the summer tour when he suffered a knee injury in the Premiership final at Twickenham three years ago.

"If it does happen, hopefully we can get to do some special things. There is still plenty out there for us to go after, so it's exciting times."

Dollman was Exeter boss Rob Baxter's first signing in 2009 when nothing came from contract talks with the Dragons.

The back, who was Principality Premiership player of the year for his performances with Bedwas, made 38 appearances for the region but was the victim of a tight budget.

The Dragons' loss was Devon's gain and Chiefs supporters will now get the chance to salute one of their favourites, albeit while watching on television.

South Wales Argus:

"Personally, I'm going to relish every moment of it," said Dollman. "The Chiefs has been my home for over ten years now and I've experienced so many good times, both on and off the field.

"Yes, it's going to be tough the day I do eventually finish here, but it's been a hell of a journey for me.

"In a way, I'm incredibly lucky that I will get another chance to play a bit more rugby. There are a few boys, guys like Hilly [Sam Hill], Whitey [Nic White], Grog [Greg Holmes] and Kev [Matt Kvesic], they've had their journeys cut short because of what has happened.

"That's disappointing for them, I'm sure. No doubt they will all have had a bit of a sour taste in the mouth, particularly because of how well the season was going and that they wanted to be part of something special. That said, what can you do?

"It's strange times for all of us right now, but we just have to crack on, get on with things and hopefully it will all come good in the end."

Exeter were going great guns when coronavirus halted the season in mid-March but Dollman is hopeful they can pick up where they left off.

South Wales Argus:

"This has been the longest break from rugby I've ever had and it was nice to let the body recover and have that time with the family," he said.

"It was different for sure, I'm not sure how much I could get used to it, but I guess that gave me an insight into what retired life is going to be like.

"I'm assuming when I do get a real job it will be a bit different to just sitting at home, going for walks or just sitting on Zoom calls all the time.

"Being back at the club, though, has been good. It's like having another pre-season in the season. Some of the running sessions have been tough and they've allowed us to get that base fitness back into us, but I'm expecting it to ramp up over these next few weeks."

"I'm not quite sure how other teams will go about things," he said. "Some may be looking to next season and trying to get a few things in place, but from our point of view we have to get as much out of it as we can."

The Dragons were supposed to face Exeter in a pre-season friendly on September 5.