Summary

  • Exeter to face Wasps in Premiership final at Twickenham on 24 October

  • Chiefs defeat Bath 35-6 at Sandy Park to qualify for fifth consecutive Premiership final

  • Wasps beat Bristol Bears 47-24 in first semi-final to reach first Premiership final since 2017

Live Reporting

Rob Stevens

  1. 'Wasps thoroughly deserve the lead'

    HT: Wasps 23-5 Bristol

    Danny Care
    Harlequins and England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    It's been brilliant game management from Wasps, they've got a clear plan to not play loose, not play unstructured and not feed into exactly what Bristol Bears want.

    They are just playing sensible rugby, kicking the ball when they need to and being clinical when they get into the Bristol half.

    They thoroughly deserve the lead.

    Bristol may have to chance their game a little to get some field position because if they do get the opportunities they have the players to cause Wasps some problems.

  2. Half-time

    Wasps 23-5 Bristol

    Wasps celebrateRex Features

    Wasps see out the dying seconds of the half before Jacob Umaga kicks dead.

    The hosts look comfortable at the break.

    But Bristol could be dangerous in the second 40 minutes if their backs can get their game going.

  3. 'Willis stepping up on the big occasion'

    Wasps 23-5 Bristol

    Danny Care
    Harlequins and England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    An unbelievable passage of play.

    Bristol had all of the momentum and you'd think that they were going to build some phases and try to score a try but the ball comes loose and Thomas Young does what he does best.

    In big semi-finals you need your big players to step up and Jack Willis is certainly doing that in front of Eddie Jones.

    Jack WillisRex Features

  4. Wasps 23-5 Bristol

    Another big attacking opportunity for Bristol goes awry.

    From a five-metre line-out, Harry Thacker's throw is not straight.

    It's a poor mistake, and a decent platform wasted just before the break.

  5. Wasps 23-5 Bristol

    Eddie JonesGetty Images

    England head coach Eddie Jones is in attendance at the Ricoh Arena.

    No doubt he'll be looking at Jack Willis, who previously missed out on the tour of South Africa in 2018 with a serious knee injury.

    Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson has impressed as well.

  6. try

    Try: Wasps 23-5 Bristol

    Jack Willis, con Jimmy Gopperth

    Things are really going Wasps' way.

    Bristol lose the ball at the breakdown inside the Wasps 22 and in the blink of an eye the game is right a the other end of the pitch.

    Thomas Young picks up the loose ball to launch a counter-attack with the support of a couple of runners.

    Jack Willis takes the ball into the Bears 22 and, after some good work from the forwards close to the line, the flanker crashes over from close range.

    Jimmy Gopperth adds the conversion for a healthy lead before the break.

    Replays show Bristol probably should have had a penalty at the initial breakdown where they lost possession, as Matteo Minozzi seemed to have hands on the ball.

  7. Wasps 16-5 Bristol

    Bristol build a few phases on halfway, but then kick the ball away to Dan Robson.

    The Wasps man comes forward and looks to chip over the top, but a couple of forwards are offside.

    The penalty takes the Bears just into Wasps' 22.

  8. Penalty: Wasps 16-5 Bristol

    Jimmy Gopperth

    Bristol concede another scrum penalty.

    John Afoa's legs go from underneath him.

    It's right in front of the posts, about 30 metres out and meat and drink for Jimmy Gopperth.

    Wasps capitalise once again.

  9. 'Two sides with different approaches'

    Wasps 13-5 Bristol

    Danny Care
    Harlequins and England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Wasps v BristolPA Media

    What is so evident is the mentality of approach the two sides have.

  10. Wasps 13-5 Bristol

    Wasps almost get a second try from a big stroke of luck.

    Jimmy Gopperth's kick deflects off Siale Piutau and into the hands of Dan Robson.

    The Wasps scrum-half was 15 metres in front of the ball, and kicks to the corner.

    There is a bit too much on his kick for Zach Kibirige to get on the end of it, as the ball bobbles dead.

    Back we come for a scrum to the Bears midway inside their own half.

  11. Wasps 13-5 Bristol

    Bristol have opened up a bit now, and have the ball in their own half.

    Their backs are starting to warm up, but cannot find a route into the Wasps half with possession.

  12. try

    Try: Wasps 13-5 Bristol

    Luke Morahan, con missed Callum Sheedy

    Finally the Bears get an attacking platform, and they take advantage.

    From a scrum just inside the Wasps 22 on the left flank, they subsequently win a penalty in front of the sticks.

    Nathan Hughes takes it early, and Bristol throw the ball wide to the right for Luke Morahan, who has plenty of space to finish.

    Callum Sheedy can't add the extras, dragging his kick across the posts.

  13. Penalty: Wasps 13-0 Bristol

    Jimmy Gopperth

    Jimmy GopperthRex Features

    Wasps get a penalty from the second scrum, and after a bit of a think decide to go for the posts.

    It's just to the left of the sticks and Jimmy Gopperth doesn't miss those.

    Everything is going swimmingly for the hosts so far.

  14. Get Involved

    Tweet using #bbcrugby

    Small Man Peaky: Fekitoa off. The danger of a 6/2 split. Back goes off early and you're going to be in a real pickle later on.

    Add to that the knock taken by Jacob Umaga in the past few minutes, and that split of forwards to backs on the Wasps' bench might come into more focus.

  15. Wasps 10-0 Bristol

    After a few minutes of treatment, Jacob Umaga is back to his feet.

    A flex of the neck or two, and he is ok to continue.

    We restart with a Bristol scrum, but Wasps get a free-kick as Harry Thacker misses his strike.

    Scrum to the hosts just outside the Bears 22.

  16. Wasps 10-0 Bristol

    Bristol centre Semi Radradra has the ball in hand on halfway, but then Wasps wing Josh Bassett intercepts his attempted pass.

    That hands the initiative and territory back to Wasps.

    Another concern for the hosts, as Jacob Umaga is down needing treatment.

    The fly-half was tackled by both Bears props. There was nothing malicious in the challenge, but Umaga got pinned beneath them.

  17. 'Everything is going well for Wasps'

    Wasps 10-0 Bristol

    Danny Care
    Harlequins and England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Wasps celebrateRex Features

    It's a perfect start for Wasps.

    Bristol are probably on the wrong side of the referee at the moment and everything is going well for Wasps.

  18. Penalty: Wasps 10-0 Bristol

    Jimmy Gopperth

    Wasps increase the score through a Jimmy Gopperth penalty which was awarded at the breakdown.

    It was just inside the Bristol half, and a straightforward kick for the 37-year-old despite the distance.

    How can Bristol respond to falling behind?

  19. Wasps 7-0 Bristol

    Wasps have the lead, but they have lost try scorer Malakai Fekitoa to injury.

    The former New Zealand international has been forced off, and that is a big blow for the hosts.

    Michael Le Bourgeois comes on to replace him, and is making quite the statement with his hair.

    With a moustache as well, he kind of looks like a Canadian lumberjack. But one who spends a lot of time on his styling.

  20. 'Interesting to see how Bristol react'

    Wasps 7-0 Bristol

    Danny Care
    Harlequins and England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

    Wasps v BristolGetty Images

    I'm interested to see how Bristol react from this, they've tried a few things that have not really come off.