Gloucester 30-19 Exeter as it happened

1. Gloucester into final to face Edinburgh on 1 May
2. Meakes and Savage tries for Gloucester
3. Exeter points from Taione try and Slade's boot
4. Gloucester last in final in 2006
5. Exeter still waiting to reach first European final
6. Use audio icon to listen

Painting the town Cherry and White

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That's about it from us. Tonight has been Gloucester's night, beating Exeter Chiefs 30-19 to set up a May date with Edinburgh.

We'll be back with more live rugby union text and radio coverage next Friday, when Bath take on London Irish in the Premiership.

We hope to see you again then.

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David: Thought @gloucesterrugby were the deserved winners. Its not often the exeter forwards get beaten up front

Recap

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If you're joining us late, here's how tonight unfolded...

Gloucester scored two late tries to beat Exeter Chiefs and reach their first Challenge Cup final since 2006.

The Cherry and Whites' first-half dominance produced just one try, as Billy Meakes touched down James Hooks' grubber kick.

But the Chiefs stayed in touch as Henry Slade knocked over four penalties.

However, Tom Savage and Jonny May crossed in the final 10 minutes - either side of Elvis Taione's effort - to see the home side to victory in front of a raucous Kingsholm crowd.

Gloucester v Edinburgh

Confirmation then that, following Edinburgh's victory last night, Gloucester will take on the Scottish side at The Twickenham Stoop on Friday, 1 May in the European Rugby Challenge Cup final.

We'll be bringing you live text and radio commentary of that one too, so it's probably worth sticking it in your diary now.

Simon Devereux

Former Gloucester forward on BBC Radio Gloucester

"Gloucester don't make it easy, do they? They came under pressure in that second half. The key was choosing to go to touch and not for the posts for Savage's try. They backed themselves. The May try was the icing on the cake."

Exeter captain Dean Mumm tells Sky Sports: "We're obviously disappointed. Full credit to Gloucester. We lost brave - we're a brave team.

"We now just have to move on. We have a lot to play for this season."

Gloucester forward Tom Savage tells Sky Sports: "We knew we had to bring our 'A' game. We played for the full 80 minutes. This competition is huge for us - we owe it to ourselves and the supporters.

"We're licking our lips for the final."

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A frantic evening of rugby union at Kingsholm. What did you make of it all? Please do let us know using #bbcrugby on Twitter.

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Full-time

And, with a Cherry and Whites turnover, referee John Lacey brings this excellent European Rugby Challenge Cup semi-final to an end.

Gloucester are in the final!

Exeter Chiefs are coming forward, not giving up until the very last here. The bad news for them, however, is that the clock is red...

Try (May, con Laidlaw)

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Oh no they're not!

Knowing that only a try will do, David Ewers throws a real hospital offload into no-man's land for the Chiefs and Jonny May steals in to touch down from around 15 metres. Greig Laidlaw's conversion confirms that it's Gloucester's night.

Try (Taione, con Steenson)

My, my, my - Exeter have only gone and done! It's replacement Elvis Taione who squirms through beneath a pile of bodies and, thanks to Gareth Steenson's conversion, the Chiefs are right back in this one.

Exeter Chiefs are four or five metres out, trying desperately to force their way over...

A couple of scrums now, 22 metres from the Gloucester line. But Exeter Chiefs have stolen it - and here they come on the attack! Is there a sting in the tail of this semi-final?

Penalty (Laidlaw)

Is that the kick that sends Gloucester to the final? Greig Laidlaw's kick is good and Exeter Chiefs have it all to do from here, into the final eight minutes.

Our man Simon Devereux was talking about Gloucester's error count a little earlier on - but all of a sudden it's Exeter Chiefs who are leaking penalties. This one, for coming in at the side, is right in front of the posts too. Great chance for Greig Laidlaw is this...

Try (Savage, con Laidlaw)

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There's no stopping the Cherry and Whites this time! Initially, the Exeter pack do manage to haul down the rolling maul - legally on this occasion - but Tom Savage is on hand to pick it up and drive his way over from close range.

Greig Laidlaw's conversion is good too and, crucially, Gloucester are now more than a score clear of Exeter Chiefs.

The rolling maul is working well too, but Exeter Chiefs drag it down and Gloucester have a penalty. To the posts or to the corner? It doesn't take captain Billy Twelvetrees long to make up his mind - we'll have another line-out.

Gloucester have a line-out around 10 metres from the Exeter Chiefs line. For all their pressure, they have only a first-half Billy Meakes try to show for their efforts. Time for another?

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Small Man Peaky: Slade once again showing what England are missing at 12. Too late now to try him out before the RWC. Talent being wasted.

Keith Taylor: Hoping for @EdinburghRugby v @gloucesterrugby in the final. Had great chat with their fans in the 2013/14 Heineken cup.

Simon Devereux

Former Gloucester forward on BBC Radio Gloucester

"All of a sudden Gloucester have lost momentum in the game and the error count has come into it."

Penalty (Slade)

This boy isn't missing tonight, is he? Henry Slade's kick from the tee is perfect and we have a one-point game on our hands.

The Chiefs' set-piece is good this time and they work the ball across from the open-side. And then disaster strikes for Gloucester - forward Matt Kvesic gives away a penalty for coming off his feet at the breakdown.

This one is right in front of the posts for Henry Slade.

Henry Slade boots the ball high and long and, probably not ideally from Gloucester's point of view, Sione Kalamafoni is the man underneath it. No great surprise that, lo and behold, the Tongan drops it too.

This could be a decent chance for Exeter Chiefs if they can put together a good scrum.

Missed penalty (Laidlaw)

... But Greig Laidlaw hooks it wide of the near upright. Exeter Chiefs have been second best for the majority of this match, yet are still well and truly in it.

Oh Jonny, what a waste. After Henry Purdy's eye-catching break England winger May has a terrific opportunity to release Charlie Sharples on his right shoulder, but instead backs himself to go over - and doesn't.

Gloucester will at least have a penalty from the resulting ruck...

Speaking of familiar tales, Gloucester work through the phases once more but, just as the try-line comes within touching distance, Exeter turn the ball over for the sixth time this evening and clear up the pitch.

Another scrum, another penalty for Gloucester. We've not seen too much clean ball from the set-piece so far tonight, that's for sure.

James Hook kicks the Cherry and Whites up-field and into touch.

The opening to this second half has been as frantic as the first. Exeter Chiefs are on the attack again but Jack Nowell, who is now receiving some further treatment, is guilty of knocking on.

Penalty (Slade)

It's three out of three for Henry Slade, meaning the Chiefs' deficit is down to four points.

Am I watching a re-run of the first half?! Just as Dean Mumm did in the early stages, visiting forward David Ewers is over the line but is brilliantly held up by the Gloucester defence.

It'll be a penalty for Exeter this time, however, meaning Henry Slade can take a shot a goal...

Simon Devereux

Former Gloucester forward on BBC Radio Gloucester

"The key message for Gloucester at half-time will be to not invite Exeter back into the game. Gloucester were quite ahead in terms of how they played in the first half, despite the score."

But, not for the first time, Exeter Chiefs turn the ball over and hit the home side on the break. And Billy Meakes, covering from the kick in behind, has dropped it too! But thankfully for him it results in no more than a scrum to Exeter.

Kick-off

We're back under way then - and immediately Gloucester are on the attack after their own kick-off.

The teams are back out on the Kingsholm turf. We're 40 minutes away from finding out who'll face Edinburgh in the final at The Twickenham Stoop on Friday, 1 May.

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Ash Green: The shed is thumping with the sound of the tomahawk chop. Don't write out Exeter Chiefs of just yet!

Can anyone see anything other than a Gloucester win? Give us your thoughts by using #bbcrugby on Twitter.

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John Lockyer

Former Exeter captain on BBC Radio Devon

"Exeter have been under the cosh. Gloucester have been the better side and played the most rugby, but they have only one try to show for it.

"Exeter have made a massive number of tackles, and you wonder what that will take out of them. It was a fascinating first half."

Half-time

Penalty (Slade)

And the youngster makes no mistake from a tightish angle, splitting the posts with ease and ensuring these sides are just seven points apart at half-time.

But, as with Greig Laidlaw's earlier penalty, one kick from the tee will follow another. A scrum after a Gloucester knock-on results in an Exeter penalty, so Henry Slade can reduce the arrears heading into the break...

Penalty (Hook)

From just a smidge inside his own half, Welsh fly-half James Hook fancies this one. He likes them from here - remember his last-minute long-range beauty against Saracens in the Premiership earlier this season?

Well this is from a similar distance, and it's a similar result too! Gloucester are 10 points ahead.

Ouch!

That's a sore one for England and Exeter wing Jack Nowell, who has blood gushing out from under his bright-blue headguard.

The 22-year-old makes way for a stitch or two as, following another scrum on halfway this time, Gloucester win themselves a penalty. There's no doubt which pack have had the edge in this first half.

And the away side are so, so close to responding!

First Thomas Waldrom cuts a stunning line to break through before being brought down a metre or two short. The Chiefs revive the move quickly enough, though, and work it across. But, just as Kai Horstmann looks to have the freedom of the right flank, a forward pass is thrown and we'll come back for a scrum. Unlucky.

Exeter have done well to win the ball back following the restart, however, and the boys in black and green are coming forward now. We've seen plenty of Gloucester in attack, but now their defence is being tested.

Try (Meakes, con Laidlaw)

Well that didn't take long - one look and it's given! Gloucester's pressure at long, long last is made to count as Billy Meakes latches onto a lovely little grubber through from James Hook and touches down.

Greig Laidlaw then adds the extras and the Cherry and Whites lead by seven points.

Try review (Meakes)

Billy Meakes is over - but we're heading for the television match official!

Now here's a familiar sound - the Shed is booing! Jonny May dinks the ball through but is brought down slightly late just as he makes after it. However, the referee is uninterested, so the two packs get down for a scrum.

John Lockyer

Former Exeter captain on BBC Radio Devon

"The game has got everything - Gloucester making breaks, Exeter making tackles. Henry Slade has made two top-drawer tackles, he's the all-round player."

How are the Cherry and Whites not in front? They've dominated the ball, they've dominated the territory but they just can't seem to find a way beyond the Exeter Chiefs defence.

We'll have a scrum on halfway after the visitors knock on in the tackle.

Gloucester do well to retrieve the restart and are on the attack once more, probing around 30 metres out. But perhaps, just perhaps, Billy Twelvetrees has lost a bit of patience there and attempts a pretty ambitious drop-kick - which drifts well wide.

Penalty (Slade)

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And what a kick that is! I may not have done it justice when I said 45 metres, as it wasn't all that far in from the touchline, but Henry Slade wasn't to be deterred and he lands the penalty.

But how often is this the case? Following Henry Slade's restart, Gloucester are penalised for failing to roll away and the England Saxons fly-half has a chance to equalise from 45 metres or so.

Penalty (Laidlaw)

And Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw makes no mistake from the tee, splitting the posts from close range and giving Gloucester the advantage their early attacking play probably deserves.

Gloucester are around 10 metres from the Chiefs line now, really knocking on the door. But, shortly after referee John Lacey bellows "advantage", it all breaks down and so we'll come back for the penalty...

Now, after Exeter Chiefs clear their lines there's another knock-on and we'll have a further scrum. Gloucester win it once again and Charlie Sharples half-breaks the line to get the Cherry and Whites moving in the right direction.

John Lockyer

Former Exeter captain on BBC Radio Devon

"It's been nearly all Gloucester, apart from the fact Exeter have had the best chance. Gloucester have looked so good with ball in hand. Exeter's defence has been firm."

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We're still waiting for our first points of the evening but it's been entertaining. As they did in the opening stages, the home side work their way through the phases before centre Billy Twelvetrees pokes a grubber through and out of play.

Now it's Gloucester's turn to attack, but Charlie Sharples knocks on and Exeter will have the put-in at the scrum. That's some shove again from the home pack though and Chiefs have to really rush their clearance.

Director of rugby David Humphreys will be delighted with the start his forwards have made.

So, our first set-piece of the evening. Which of these packs will start the better? The answer is Gloucester, as Nick Wood on this near side wins a penalty for the Cherry and Whites.

An amazing opening five minutes at Kingsholm. Again the visitors come forward, working it wide to the right-hand side to captain Dean Mumm, but as he homes in on the try-line Gloucester get enough bodies around him to keep him up and prompt a scrum five metres out.

Goodness me. After 24 exhausting phases of Gloucester attacking had taken them deep into enemy territory, Exeter Chiefs steal it at the base of a ruck and counter.

Phil Dolman's pace does some initial damage but Thomas Waldrom, the leading try-scorer in the Premiership, doesn't have the beans required to shake off Billy Twelvetrees and the number eight is forced into touch.

Kingsholm sounds in fine voice, with "Glaawwwssstterrr" ringing around the Shed. The home side have started quite brightly here and are approaching the Chiefs 22-metre line.

Kick-off

Irishman John Lacey is the man in the middle, and his whistle prompts Exeter Chiefs fly-half Henry Slade to boot long and get this semi-final under way.

Starting soon

Here come the two teams, Gloucester in their familiar red and white hoops and Exeter in their change-strip of black with green flashes. Kick off will soon be upon us.

BBC coverage

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

If you'd like to listen to live commentary of tonight's European Challenge Cup semi-final, you can tune in to BBC Radio 5 live sports extra by clicking the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

Alternatively, if you'd prefer the local angle, you can also listen to commentary from BBC Radio Gloucestershire and BBC Radio Devon via the same method.

Team line-ups

Exeter Chiefs: Dollman; Whitten, Nowell, Hill, Jess; Slade, Chudley; Moon, Yeandle, Francis, Mumm (capt), Lees, Ewers, Horstmann, Waldrom.

Replacements: Taione, Rimmer, Brown, Skinner, Johnson, Lewis, Steenson, James.

Team line-ups

Gloucester: Sharples; May, Meakes, Twelvetrees (capt), Purdy; Hook, Laidlaw; Wood, Hibbard, Afoa, Savage, Galarza, Kalamafoni, Kvesic, Evans.

Replacements: Dawidiuk, Murphy, Puafisi, Stooke, Moriarty, Robson, Burns, Macken.

Team news

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Gloucester welcome back England flanker Matt Kvesic after he missed last week's Premiership defeat by Harlequins, while Henry Purdy comes back in on the wing.

Exeter Chiefs, meanwhile, have made just one change to the XV that beat league leaders Northampton Saints last weekend.

Back-rower Ben White misses out through injury so Kai Horstmann is promoted from the bench.

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Gloucester centre Henry Trinder, who has a knee injury, on Twitter: A perfect night to do battle. Come on @gloucesterrugby would love to be out there!

Former England and Gloucester scrum-half Andy Gomarsall on Twitter: Kingsholm looking glorious tonight - Good luck @gloucesterrugby

Breaking new ground

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Exeter Chiefs, in contrast, have been fighting on three fronts this season, having already finished runners-up in the LV= Cup and, sitting fourth in the Premiership, within a real chance of securing a play-off spot.

"If you're at the top end of the league at this stage of the season and you're getting into quarter-finals and semi-finals they always feel like the next biggest game," director of rugby Rob Baxter told BBC Sport.

"You can't keep going along saying every game you play is the biggest in the club's history, it doesn't really work like that.

"The semi-final to me feels like the result of a very good performance in the quarter-final."

A return to former glories

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I'm sure Gloucester will see the Challenge Cup as an opportunity to make amends for what has been a tricky league campaign this year, having struggled to ninth in the table with just seven wins from 19 matches.

"A huge amount of work has gone in, which hasn't been reflected by where we are in the league," Gloucester director of rugby David Humphreys told BBC Points West.

"We've managed to produce a real level of consistency in our European performances and that's given us the opportunity to have a home quarter-final and then a home semi-final.

"We knew there'd be some ups and downs and that it'd be a bit of a rollercoaster, but we are very confident we've moved forward."

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So, who do you think will be taking Edinburgh on in next month's final? As always, you can get in touch with us using #bbcrugby on Twitter.

An England v Scotland final

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Last night, Edinburgh reached their first-ever European Challenge Cup final after a one-sided victory over Newport Gwent Dragons.

With the visitors penned into their own half, Stuart McInally and Tim Visser ran in first-half scores as Edinburgh reached the interval 21-9 ahead.

Brok Harris plunged over to reduce the deficit but the second of three yellow cards proved costly for Dragons.

With the momentum firmly back with the hosts, Ben Toolis, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Dougie Fife all added tries to confirm Edinburgh's place in next month's final.

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A Premiership high-flyer beaten by a Top 14 giant at the sharp end of a European rugby union tournament. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

I bring good news, however.

Sure, it might only be the European Rugby Challenge Cup, but in half an hour Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs will do battle for a place in the final at The Twickenham Stoop on Friday, 1 May.

And, with Edinburgh waiting in the final, there's not a French team in sight.

Welcome to our coverage of tonight's semi-final at Kingsholm.