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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

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."

Image source, Getty Images

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.