Moments of fluidity have been interspersed with knock-ons and mistakes so far and neither side is really on top.

Exeter with the ball now in a decent attacking platform inside Northampton territory.

Dave Lewis' box-kick is spilt backwards by Northampton winger Ken Pisi into touch from that line-out.

A productive minute for Exeter.

It's taken 28 minutes, but we've finally completed a scrum, hoorah!

Northampton, who had the put it, smash it deep and Exeter will have the throw in a metre inside their 22. 

Image source, Getty Images

Jim Mallinder's side are looking very bright with ball in hand, but the wall of black that is the Chiefs defence holds out again to win a holding-on penalty and again Henry Slade, playing outside centre today, clears.

Ken Pisi wins an up-and-under in the air completely unchallenged before JJ Hanrahan kicks ahead to nudge Northampton deep into Exeter territory.

The Chiefs get their exit strategy solid enough and clear to just outside their 22 for a Saints line-out.

One or two scrum resets eventually wins Exeter a penalty and the left foot of Henry Slade smashes it clear.

The hosts have not seen much of the ball since Gareth Steenson knocked that penalty over.

Oh dear.

That was never heading towards the posts as soon as he struck it, horribly sliced wide by the Northampton number 10. They gather the restart and are on the attack again before a knock-on halts progress.

It's worth noting it has been a profitable period for Northampton during the Six Nations as along with Wasps they are the most in-form side in the Premiership, having picked up 24 points from a possible 30.

JJ Hanrahan with the chance to extend the lead with a penalty from near the halfway line...

Northampton have the opportunity to level it up straight from the restart as they win a penalty, but they instead opt for touch. 

The line-out is spilled again, Henry Slade kicks clear but Saints still have the ball in an attacking position...

Pretty much in the shadow of the posts, Gareth Steenson is successful with his first shot at goal.

Deserved lead that.

Huge pressure on the Northampton line by the Chiefs.

A number of pick and drives go close before Exeter get a penalty for offside five metres away.

Just as Nigel Owens had to remind the English and French front-row of their duties, Greg Garner does the same at Sandy Park.

Exeter win a scrum penalty and opt for touch rather than the shot at goal.

A grubber kick through by Henry Slade, on his 50th Premiership appearance, very nearly bounces kindly into the Exeter chasing line.

Northampton just about deal with it and they have a line-out inside their own 22 which they set a driving maul from and drive a good 15m before Teimana Harrison knocks on.

The hosts should be ahead. 

Another mess at the line-out, the ball is handed to centre Ian Whitten 8m out but the pass is a bit low on him and he knocks on. Exeter scrum and they win the penalty.

Exeter's defence deals well with that early Northampton territory.

Henry Slade the keeps a bouncing kick through in play, a darting 25m run from James Short and a kick up the pitch sees the Chiefs now with a line-out of their own inside the Saints 22.

First line-out for the game is Northampton's and they spill it at the back but just about recover the ball.

They're on the attack on on the Exeter 22 in the opening stages.

JJ Hanaraan gets us going at Sandy Park.

Exeter in their home colours of all black while Northampton are in their changed strip of light grey tops and sky blue shorts and socks.

The referee gives both teams a knock on the changing room door and we're not far away from getting going. It looks not far from a sell-out at Sandy Park