Exeter Chiefs will play Saracens in the Premiership final at Twickenham.

Exeter Chiefs reach their third successive Premiership final at Twickenham with a 36-5 semi-final victory against Newcastle Falcons.

A flourish of penalties and conversions was kicked by the boot of Joe Simmonds and tries from Nic White, Olly Woodburn and Don Armand secured the semi-final win for the Chiefs in front of a sold out Sandy Park. 

Chiefs led 16-0 at half-time thanks to three penalties from Simmonds and a try from Nic White. In the second 40 minutes, Chiefs put the game to bed. Simmonds kicked two more penalties, his 19th point of the encounter with the boot, before Olly Woodburn and Don Armand touched down.

Victory ensured the reigning champions of English ruby, who finished the regular season top of the table for the first time and achieved their best ever points haul, have cemented their place in the Aviva Premiership final for the third successive year. They’ll place Saracens in the final. 

Sarries, who finished second in the Premiership table this season, won a 90-point thriller (the highest scoring Premiership semi-final ever) earlier today against Wasps. That game finished 57-33 with England fly-half Owen Farrell kicking 27 points. 

The defending champions made five changes to the side that beat Harlequins. Don Armand, Sam Simmonds, Henry Slade, Lachie Turner and Ian Whitten all returned for the semi-final. 

Playing on home soil, it was Exeter who took the lead. Following 20 minutes of mounted pressure on Newcastle’s defence, the Chiefs were awarded three penalties in front of the posts which fly-half Joe Simmonds converted. 

With just 10 minutes to play in the first-half, Newcastle’s Olmstead was awarded a yellow card for illegally stopping a chiefs pass from 5 meters out. As a result, the Chiefs were awarded another penalty – which Simmonds successfully kicked once more to give his side a 9-0 lead. 

You could sense a try was coming, and finally it did. Lachie Turner, who’s playing his last home game for Exeter Chiefs, made a terrific run at exquisite pace through the middle of the field starting from half way. He was finally brought down 10 meters out, but Nic White picked up the ball to squeeze past the Newcastle defence to score under the posts. Simmonds eagle eyed with the boot to give his side a 16-0 lead at half-time. 

Simmonds was at it again in the second half. He kicked a further two early penalties to extend Exeter’s lead to 22 points. 

The visitors pulled a try back but Toby Flood’s Kick was charged down by Lachie Turner. But within minutes, Exeter’s Olly Woodburn and Don Armand denied any hope of a comeback. They both scored late tries. 

It’s now been confirmed Exeter will play Saracens at Twickenham on May 26^th. It’s poised for a fascinating encounter in England’s capital. Radio Exe will be there with regular updates through the day. 

Full-time: Exeter 

Attendance: 12,772 

Team Line-up 

Lachie Turner, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Sam Hill, Olly Woodburn, Joe Simmonds, Nic White, Alec Hepburn, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tomas Francis, Mitch Lees, Jonny Hill, Dave Ewers, Don Armand (capt), Sam Simmonds

Subs:

Jack Yeandle, Ben Moon, Greg Holmes, Sam Skinner, Thomas Waldrom, Stuart Townsend, Gareth Steenson, Ian Whitten