Ed Slater may have only come to Gloucester as a result of a swap deal with Leicester for Jonny May, but he's played a crucial role here.

Having just come on, he makes two vital turnovers in the last phase of play and the Cherry and Whites live to fight another day.

Meanwhile, the head coach's son Ruan Ackermann is on the field for the home side.

Exeter are in the home 22 and have an advantage - but they knock on agonizingly short of the line.

Another crucial error from the champions where it matters most.

Newcastle punish another Worcester mistake inside their own 22 as Rob Vickers burrows over from close-range for their second try of the night.

Sonatane Takulua keeps up his perfect record off the tee as we reach the hour mark and Worcester now have it all to do again.

We're at that time where both teams start to empty their benches, and Exeter have some impressive names among their replacements.

Wales prop Tomas Francis and Lions wing Jack Nowell are among those to have come on for the champions.

On the pitch, there's 25 minutes to go at Kingsholm - and we're still even stevens.

Straight from the restart, Worcester are penalised in front of their own posts for not releasing.

Sonatane Takulua is in the action again to slot over a simple penalty and put their lead back to five points.

Exeter are back up to a full compliment of players, and have survived the Gloucester frenzy.

However Henry Purdy looks a menace for the Cherry and Whites, whose scrum is also functioning well.

One stat worth mentioning - Exeter are unbeaten in 17 league matches dating back to October, equalling a record set by Leicester in the 1999-2000 campaign - will they beat it tonight?

Josh Adams comes mighty close to crossing the line with a try for Worcester seven minutes after the restart, but a last-ditch tackle from Sonatane Takulua looks to have denied the Worcester full-back.

We're taking a long look at this one with the TMO....

Exeter are showing the qualities of a top side - keeping the ball in a period of adversity and running the clock down towards the return of Gareth Steenson.

John Afoa nicks the ball back for Gloucester, but the hosts are struggling to make a real dent in the visitors' defence right now.

The hosts almost instantly take advantage of having the extra man.

Henry Purdy sprints down the wing and bares down on the try-line, beating off a challenge from Phil Dollman - but Olly Woodburn comes piling in to take the Gloucester man, and the ball, into touch.

The Cherry and Whites know that now is the time to strike.

Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at Kingsholm

Inevitable - but still harsh - yellow card for Steenson.

If you lose the jump on a high ball then a card of some colour is more often than not forthcoming. Big chance for Gloucester now to take the scalp of the champions.

Image source, Getty Images

Back under way at Kingston Park with the floodlights in full effect.

Can Worcester produce a second-half performance to put a smile on returning director of rugby Gary Gold's face?

An eventful start to the second half, as Exeter talisman Gareth Steenson is shown a yellow card for foul play.

Jason Woodward claims a high ball and the Irishman doesn't jump, standing his ground and colliding with his opponent.

The sin-binning was inevitable and Steenson seemed to take the decision on the chin.

Image source, Getty Images

We go again at Kingsholm - Billy Burns gets things going.

Which way will this go? Could the champions suffer an upset on night one?

Image source, PA

Jonny: Gloucester should be the happier of the two teams. Will probably tire as they've done the lion's share of the defending so far.

Thoughts on the matches so far, or the season as a whole? Use #bbcrugby and we'll be across it.

Some half-time reading for you...

Premiership and Championship players will take part this season in the development of a new pitch-side test to diagnose concussion and brain injuries.

Saliva and urine samples will be collected during the new campaign, after studies showed they could provide swift indicators of head injuries.

It could lead to a handheld device to assess if a player is fit to play on.

Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at Kingsholm

Image source, bbc s

This was the calm before the storm here as a packed out Shed awaited the two teams.

I'm told this might be the last season of a grass pitch at Kingsholm with the club looking to replace it with an artificial surface.

Image source, Getty Images

Not a classic at Kingston Park, it has to be said, but Newcastle have the lead going into the break.

Tom Heathcote misses a chance to narrow the Falcons' lead as he misses off the tee for Worcester following a scrum penalty.

Both sides have had chances in each other's 22, but haven't been clinical.

Image source, Getty Images

The champions, Exeter, lead twice but Gloucester come roaring back on both occasions thanks to tries from Jeremy Thrush.

Johan Ackermann's side would've led if it wasn't for Billy Burns missing a simple penalty - but Chiefs have had some below-par kicking of their own, Henry Slade failing to find touch on two occasions.

It's finely poised - can Thrush or Exeter's Sam Simmonds complete a hat-trick?