Gloucester win the Challenge Cup as it happened

1. FT: Edinburgh 13-19 Gloucester
2. Twelvetrees try puts Gloucester in front
3. Laidlaw kicks 14 points against former club
4. Meakes sent off for high tackle with 17 minutes left
5. Ford touches down for Edinburgh

Gloucester are European Challenge Cup champions

That's about it from us this evening. We'll have more rugby union live text commentary for you tomorrow when Clermont Auvergne face Toulon in the all-French European Champions Cup final.

We'll also be bringing you the climax of the Premiership season over the next few weeks.

Thanks for joining us this evening, and until the next time, goodbye.

Well, that was quite an evening, wasn't it? Gloucester had the better of the first half and deservedly led through Billy Twelvetrees' try.

But Edinburgh stayed in the game and looked like they might go on to win it after Ross Ford touched down moments after Gloucester's Bill Meakes was sent off for a high, off-the-ball tackle on Sam Beard.

However, Gloucester's defence held firm in the face of some spirited Edinburgh attacking, before cunning game management saw them home in the last five minutes.

If you want to relive any of the action, you can read Brendon Mitchell's match report.

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And they are followed up by Gloucester, whose captain Billy Twelvetrees lifts the European Challenge Cup. It is the second time the club have lifted the trophy and the first since 2006.

It will be an enjoyable journey back along the M4 for those Cherry and Whites fans who made the trip to west London.

Edinburgh certainly did fight extremely hard but they couldn't find that crucial last breakthrough when they had that numerical advantage.

Their players troop up on to the podium to collect their medals.

Edinburgh captain Mike Coman told Sky Sports: "We're highly disappointed. We didn't hold on to the ball enough in the first half and Gloucester put us under a lot of pressure.

"We had opportunities in the second half and fought hard to get back into the game, but congratulations to Gloucester."

Gloucester captain Billy Twelvetrees told Sky Sports: "It's massive for us as a new group of players and coaches.

"Things didn't go our way in the second half but we stuck to our plans and we got the result.

"We were making our own errors which was keeping them in the game. They are a quality side and came back very strong, but we got over the hurdle."

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Gloucester wing Jonny May told Sky Sports: "That means everything. It was a game that hung in the balance for so long.

"To be at Gloucester for as long as I have with my mates makes it a night I will remember for the rest of my life.

"We have done it for one another and for the city. It was one big group effort. I thought we deserved it and I am so pleased."

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Billy Meakes can wipe away those tears now. It looked like his sending-off might cost Gloucester, but that was quite a team effort in the final 15 minutes to see them home.

Edinburgh put up a real fight, but it was not to be.

Full-time

Greig Laidlaw goes for goal but misses. However, the clock is red and the ball goes dead.

Referee Jerome Garces blows the final whistle and Gloucester are winners of the European Challenge Cup final.

And I think that will be it. In their desperation to win the ball back, Edinburgh concede a penalty.

Gloucester will just run the clock down.

Still Gloucester have the ball deep inside the Edinburgh half. We're up to 20 phases. Only 90 seconds to play.

Gloucester are protecting the ball well as their forwards keep the ball close and go through the phases.

Edinburgh are just hoping for a turnover. But the clock is ticking. Three minutes left.

That's experience from Greig Laidlaw, who chips the ball down the line and into touch deep inside Edinburgh territory.

Referee Jerome Garces pulls play back to half-way for an infringement against Edinburgh and James Hook boots the ball into touch.

Gloucester will take their time getting to that line-out inside the Scottish side's 22.

Could that be the moment that wins the Challenge Cup for Gloucester?

The Cherry and Whites, who are of course back to 14 men now, win the ball at the breakdown and Edinburgh are penalised as they attempt to make amends.

James Hook clears and takes play back up to the Gloucester 10-metre line.

Gloucester are tackling like their lives depend on it. But it looks pretty desperate stuff as Edinburgh go through the phases and spread the ball this way and that in search of an opening.

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Steve T: C'mon Glaws you can battle through this @gloucesterrugby #bbcrugby

This time it's Edinburgh who are penalised and Gloucester have a free-kick. The Premiership side have 10 minutes to hang on. The Pro12 outfit have 10 minutes to win it and make history.

How many times have I written that Gloucester have been penalised at the scrum this evening?

They are once again and Edinburgh kick for territory. The pressure valve on the Cherry and Whites is released slightly by a knock-on at the line-out - but it's another scrum.

Try (Ford, con Hidalgo-Clyne)

Has that dismissal just turned this game on its head? With Ross Moriarty also in the bin, Gloucester only have 13 men on the pitch and Edinburgh use the numbers to their advantage.

Edinburgh drive towards the line and Ross Ford touches down. It's an easy conversion for Sam Hidalgo-Clyne.

Billy Meakes is in tears on the bench. Has he cost his side?

Red card (Meakes)

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Once again, the TMO has spotted something during that last phase of play.

The replay shows Billy Meakes has caught Sam Beard off the ball with a high tackle.

Referee Jerome Garces is recommended to brandish a red card and Meakes is off. Gloucester will finish this game with only 14 men.

Only 17 minutes still to play and Edinburgh have territory again after Gloucester are penalised for crossing.

Charlie Sharples tackles Tim Visser in full flight, and later in the move Jonny May touches Sam Hidalgo-Clyne's kick to the corner dead.

Is this Edinburgh's chance? The pack lay siege to the Gloucester line from a five-metre line-out and think they're over but are held up.

They go again but knock the ball forward on the floor. That's an opportunity lost.

Bill Johnstone

BBC Radio Scotland commentator

"That should be a red card. It takes a brave man to go and knee someone in the back when they're not looking, doesn't it?"

Sin-bin (Moriarty)

Hello, what's gone on here? The TMO tells the referee he would like to go back and review something at that scrum and spots that Ross Moriarty has deliberately put a knee into the back of Edinburgh lock Fraser McKenzie.

Gloucester will be down to 14 men for the next 10 minutes.

The Edinburgh pack turns the ball over at the set-piece and the ball is spun wide to the left to Tim Visser, who kicks ahead but sees the ball bounce into touch just before he can reclaim it in the corner.

That's a shocker, Phil Burleigh. Once again, the kick-off goes into touch and Gloucester will have a scrum on halfway.

Penalty (Laidlaw)

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Greig Laidlaw has his kicking boots on tonight. It's his most difficult kick yet but makes it look easy. The scoreboard is starting to tick over for Gloucester.

That's an awful restart by Edinburgh, with Phil Burleigh's kick going straight out of play.

The Cherry and Whites' scrum works this time and sets a platform to earn Gloucester another kickable penalty about 10 metres in from touch on the Edinburgh 10-metre line.

Penalty (Laidlaw)

It's a straightforward penalty at that, 15 metres out and under the posts. Greig Laidlaw slots it through the sticks and Gloucester lead by 10.

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Gloucester are piling on the pressure and James Hook tries his luck with a speculative left-footed drop-goal from 30 yards.

It's miles off target - but he did so in the knowledge that his side would have the safety net of a penalty.

It's been a game on contrasting styles so far, with Gloucester playing the more expansive rugby and Edinburgh employing a more structured game.

It's the Cherry and Whites who look the more threatening, though, and Billy Meakes' grubber kick just beats Charlie Sharples into touch as he tried to win a foot race to the corner.

Bill Johnstone

BBC Radio Scotland commentator

"Edinburgh are certainly getting the decisions at the scrum so far. They're getting the decisions and they're getting the opportunity to earn some field position."

Gloucester can't make the most of that opportunity, though, as Gareth Evans doesn't anticipate Greig Laidlaw's pass and knocks on.

Edinburgh, who dominated at scrum time in the first half, will have the put-in at another set-piece. Guess what? They win another penalty.

Richard Hibbard's tenacity earns Gloucester a penalty, which they kick to touch. It will be a line-out on the Edinburgh 22, which half-time replacement Mariano Galarza takes.

Kick-off

Gloucester fly-half James Hook kicks long, and we're back under way.

The teams are back out. There's only 40 minutes between Edinburgh and Gloucester and glory (unless there's extra-time).

A happy hunting ground

The second half isn't far away and Gloucester must be happy with how things have gone so far.

They must also be hoping that The Stoop is a lucky venue for them - it was where they also won the Challenge Cup in 2006, beating London Irish 36-34 after extra-time.

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Michael Putland: Currently in Sierra Leone on Ebola duty, unable to watch @gloucesterrugby v Edinburgh... #bbcrugby live feed is a lifesaver!! #GlawsOnTour

Clearly, we're not the only lifesaver, Michael. We doff our caps to you.

Simon Devereux

Ex-Gloucester No.8 on BBC Radio Gloucestershire

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"It was a nervous start initially, but that first try really sparked Gloucester into life. They'll go in at half-time delighted - but they do need to sort the scrum out during the break."

Half-time

It is indeed the last kick of the half as referee Jerome Garces blows his whistle and the sides head in.

Gloucester fully deserve their lead but Edinburgh aren't out of this.

Missed penalty

Gloucester are penalised at another scrum wide on their right and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne will have another chance from the tee.

It's the last kick of the half, but this time the Spain-born Edinburgh scrum-half misses the target.

Penalty (Laidlaw)

It's a straightforward chance for Greig Laidlaw, just outside the Edinburgh 22, and the Scotland scrum-half slots his kick between the posts.

How often do you see a side score a penalty and then immediately concede one at the other?

Edinburgh do just that and Gloucester have a chance to restore their seven-point lead.

Penalty (Hidalgo-Clyne)

It's 31 metres out and perfectly kickable for Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, who makes no mistake.

Impressive work from Edinburgh as they battle their way to within five metres of the Gloucester line. They've not had much chance to go through phases like that so far.

But, just when they try to go for the line, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne's pass flies out of play.

It's not the end of the world, though, as Edinburgh will have a penalty.

Three times the scum is reset and, not for the first time this evening, Gloucester are then penalised.

Half of second-row Anton Bresler's time in the bin has elapsed. Edinburgh will be quite pleased to have survived that.

No try

'No' is the answer as he can't see the ball being grounded. Gloucester will have a five-metre scrum.

Try review

Gloucester immediately go for the throat and they think number eight Gareth Evans has been driven over from the penalty. The Television Match Official will decide.

Sin-bin (Bresler)

When Edinburgh do get field position they waste it as Sam Beard spills the ball and Jonny May is onto it in a flash.

And what run from the England wing. He scorches through the Edinburgh defence and is only denied a stunning try by a brilliant last-gasp tap tackle from Cornell Du Preez.

May's attempted offload doesn't go to hand cleanly before Gloucester's move is halted illegally by Anton Bresler, who goes to the bin.

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You sense Edinburgh are holding on a bit at the moment. They're struggling for possession and territory, and they're missing tackles which keep giving Gloucester momentum. But they are only one converted try behind.

Disappointment for Gloucester. After recycling the ball well through eight phases, they are penalised for not releasing the ball on the floor 15 yards from the line and Edinburgh clear their lines.

That comes to nothing for the side all in black and suddenly they're under pressure again as Gloucester gather on their opponents' 22 and go through the phases.

Three scrums attempts later and the Gloucester pack are penalised. Edinburgh will mount their next attack from a line-out on half-way.

Gloucester are putting the ball through the hands at every opportunity. The pace of the game is relentless.

There's sure to be some tired bodies out there by the end, so both sides might be grateful for a bit of a breather with a couple of re-set scrums.

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John McEnerney: 9 & 10 for Gloucester class, Hook 1 of the top utility backs in the game will be key tonight. Gloucester by 12 or more

Try (Twelvetrees, con Laidlaw)

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Brilliant stuff from Gloucester as they score from a line-out on halfway, won by Tom Palmer.

James Hook is flat to the line and puts the speedy Jonny May through a gap. He draws his man and times his pass to Billy Twelvetrees perfectly, and the England centre runs in under the posts from 20 yards. It's an easy conversion for Greig Laidlaw.

Penalty (Laidlaw)

And, from an angle inside the Edinburgh 22, Gloucester scrum-half Greig Laidlaw makes no mistake from the tee.

We're all square and the Challenge Cup's two leading points scorers this season have both already added to their tallies.

Now, that's impressive from Charlie Sharples. He picks the ball up deep in his own half and cuts through the Edinburgh defence before being felled by a tap tackle.

But Gloucester have the momentum and use that break to get near the Scots' line.

James Hook is held up near the line but Jerome Garces brings play back for a penalty.

Simon Devereux

Ex-Gloucester No.8 on BBC Radio Gloucestershire

"Gloucester look a little nervous to me. They just need to play their way into the game and get their basics right. Edinburgh have been very physical in the early stages too."

Gloucester twice spread the ball in promising positions as they try to play through the backs.

But first Billy Twelvetrees and then Jonny May put too much on their passes and they fly out of play.

Penalty (Hidalgo-Clyne)

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The ball is around 35 metres out but nerves can do funny things to players. Not to Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, though, who calmly slots the ball through the posts. Edinburgh lead.

Good early pressure from Edinburgh, who are awarded an early penalty in kicking range for Gloucester not releasing their man on the floor.

Kick-off

French referee Jerome Garces blows his whistle, Edinburgh fly-half Phil Burleigh kicks is high and we're under way.

The two sides are on the pitch and are greeted by a wall of noise. There's some tense faces out there. Kick-off is only moments away.

A Gloucester win tonight would make then the fourth English club to have won the Challenge Cup twice or more.

The others? Harlequins, Sale and Northampton. As we know, Edinburgh would be the first Scottish side to win a European crown.

A choice of listening

As well as following live text of tonight's game, you can also listen to the action.

We have a choice of commentaries for you too, with BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio Gloucestershire both covering the game and offering their distinctive perspectives.

Just click on the live coverage tab and make your choice.

Edinburgh chase a "wonderful achievement"

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Edinburgh head coach Alan Solomans says it would be a "wonderful, wonderful achievement" if his side could win tonight's final and become the first Scottish side to lift a European trophy.

"To win a competition of this nature would be incredible," Solomons told BBC Scotland.

"The big thing is for us to deliver a performance, possibly our best performance of the year.

"We have to be at our absolute best to do it. We're up against a strong side but we have a good team, there is a good team spirit and everyone's determined to see this through."

The familiar face who is now the foe

As you'll have gleaned from the team news, there's a familiar face in the Gloucester ranks for Edinburgh this evening.

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Cherry and Whites and Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw left his hometown club to move to Kingsholm last summer.

And the 29-year-old is hoping his old team-mates return north disappointed.

"They've progressed since I left," said Laidlaw. "It's taken time under Alan Solomons but, credit to him, he's done a good job. The players are all playing very well and they deserve to be in the final.

"I know how desperate Edinburgh will be to win the final and be the first Scottish team to win this trophy, but I want to win things playing for Gloucester."

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Gloucester's official account on Twitter: Bit of a chilly breeze in the air tonight. Bad night to be a cheerleader….or in a kilt! #GLOSvEDIN

Andrew Priestley: Edinburgh have been the whipping boys in recent seasons, great to see them in a final but Gloucester will have too much for them.

The Stoop is filling up and the Gloucester crowd are already making a lot of noise.

'"Glaawwwster" is the cry. It's sounding like a home game for the Cherry and Whites.

There's only 10 minutes until kick-off.

Gloucester rested a number of players for the Premiership fixture against Newcastle, with former Edinburgh scrum-half Greig Laidlaw one of those coming in to face his former club.

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Billy Twelvetrees captains the Cherry and Whites, while Wales duo Richard Hibbard and James Hook also return.

Team line-ups

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

Replacements: Dawidiuk, Thomas, Puafisi, Galarza, Rowan, Robson, Burns, McColl.

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Edinburgh welcome full-back Greig Tonks back into their side to face the Cherry and Whites.

He is one of two changes made by head coach Alan Solomons, who also brings Cornell Du Preez in at flanker.

Team line-ups

Edinburgh: Tonks; Fife, Beard, Strauss, Visser; Burleigh, Hidalgo-Clyne; Dickinson, Ford, Nel, Bresler, Toolis, Coman (capt), Grant, Du Preez.

Replacements: McInally, Sutherland, Andress, McKenzie, Watson, Fowles, Heathcote, Brown.

So, that's how the two sides made it to The Stoop. Now seems a suitable time to take a look at this evening's line-ups.

Route to the final - the last four

A one-sided 45-16 Murrayfield victory over Newport Gwent Dragons earned Edinburgh their spot at the Twickenham Stoop for this evening's final.

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Gloucester's passage was less straightforward as they needed two late tries to beat Premiership rivals Exeter 30-19 and reach their first European final for nine years.

Route to the final - the quarter-finals

Gloucester were the first team through to the last four after holding on to overcome Irish side Connacht 14-7 at Kingsholm, courtesy of tries from Charlie Sharples and Billy Meakes.

Edinburgh went through a range of emotions as they finally saw off London Irish 23-18 at the Madejski Stadium.

They blew a 16-0 lead to trail 18-16 soon after half-time, before finally winning the game thanks to Fraser McKenzie's try.

Even then there was late drama as the Television Match Official chose not to award Irish a match-winning try with the last play of the game, ruling that David Paice had been held up.

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Route to the final - the pool stages

Both sides made serene progress through their pools to reach the knockout stages.

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Gloucester finished with the best record of all the teams, winning a perfect six from six to top Pool 5 by 13 points.

Edinburgh lost only one game as they won Pool 4 - going down 21-19 at Lyon Olympique.

Saints are the holders

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Twelve months ago, Stephen Myler kicked 20 points to help Northampton Saints overcome Bath and win their second Challenge Cup.

Phil Dowson and Ben Foden also ran in tries as the Jim Mallinder's side completed the first leg of their league-and-cup double.

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So how are you feeling Edinburgh and Gloucester fans? Butterflies in the stomach or are you super confident this is going to be your night?

However you're feeling - or if indeed you don't support either club - we'd love to hear from you during the course of the evening.

Get in touch by using #bbcrugby on Twitter.

What's at stake

With both sides struggling to make a serious impact in their domestic leagues this season, this is undoubtedly the biggest game of the campaign for both these clubs.

Edinburgh, who sit seventh in the Pro12 table, are the first Scottish side to reach a European final, having previously lost to Ulster in the semi-final of the Heineken Cup in 2012.

Gloucester, ninth in the Premiership, are playing in their first Challenge Cup final since 2006. You can imagine those who watch the Cherry and Whites from The Shed at Kingsholm might be feeling a tad excited.

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Yes, Twickenham Stoop, home of Premiership side Harlequins, is the venue as Edinburgh face Gloucester in final of Europe's secondary competition.

It's an intriguing aperatif to tomorrow's all-French Champions Cup final between Clermont and Toulon.

But try telling the Edinburgh and Gloucester players this doesn't mean anything.

England v Scotland.

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The oldest rugby union rivalry in international history and one in which England have generally had the edge.

Tonight, two club sides from either side of the border go head-to-head in pursuit of glory and silverware.

Welcome to our coverage of the European Rugby Challenge Cup final.