Summary

  • Exeter beat Sale 40-30 to reach sixth Premiership final in a row

  • Cowan-Dickie, O'Flaherty, Nowell (2) & Cuthbert tries for Exeter

  • Van Rensburg (2) & Dan du Preez for Sale

  • Harlequins beat Bristol 43-36 after extra time to reach Premiership final

  • Bristol had been 28-0 up in first half

  • Four second-half tries for Quins made it 31-31 at full-time

  • Final at Twickenham on 26 June

  1. Thanks and goodbyepublished at 18:31 British Summer Time 19 June 2021

    ChiefsImage source, PA Media

    Well, well, well.

    What an afternoon of play-off rugby union.

    Exeter will defend their Premiership title next Saturday against Harlequins at Twickenham (17:30 BST kick-off).

    We'll have all the thrills and spills covered across BBC Sport plus plenty of build-up during the week.

    Make sure you get your recovery in on Sunday, because as they say, "we go again" next week for the big one!

    Until then, stay safe!

  2. Postpublished at 18:28 British Summer Time 19 June 2021

    FT: Exeter 40-30 Sale

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  3. Postpublished at 18:26 British Summer Time 19 June 2021

    FT: Exeter 40-30 Sale

    Ecstasy.

    Exeter celebrateImage source, Rex Features
  4. Postpublished at 18:25 British Summer Time 19 June 2021

    FT: Exeter 40-30 Sale

    Agony.

    SaleImage source, Getty Images
  5. 'Quins final will be a great game'published at 18:23 British Summer Time 19 June 2021

    FT: Exeter 40-30 Sale

    LCDImage source, Rex Features

    Exeter Chiefs try-scorer Luke Cowan-Dickie told BT Sport: "Once we got that start we knew we could hang on.

    "It's been brilliant to have the fans, when you're tired they really give you energy, I just want to thank them all.

    "The other semi-final was sort of in the background. We'll take a minute to appreciate what we have done. On Monday we'll have a look at Quins. They never sit down. It'll be a great game."

  6. Postpublished at 18:21 British Summer Time 19 June 2021

    FT: Exeter 40-30 Sale

    Luke Cowan-Dickie has just thanked the fans on BT Sport.

    At least I think he has. The noise from the stands is deafening.

  7. Full-timepublished at 18:16 British Summer Time 19 June 2021
    Breaking

    Exeter 40-30 Sale

    Exeter are back baby! The Chiefs will be defending their title against Harlequins next Saturday.

    It's a sixth Premiership final in a row for the Devon side. Incredible.

    Exeter celebrateImage source, Rex Features
  8. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Exeter 40-30 Sale

    Sale can't keep the ball in play. Exeter will have a line-out with the clock stopped at 79:20.

  9. Postpublished at 78 mins

    Exeter 40-30 Sale

    Final drive for Sale, they're still in their own half with 90 seconds to go.

  10. Penaltypublished at 77 mins

    Exeter 40-30 Sale

    You may want to reevaluate your choice.

    Exeter have another penalty and this time they choose to kick at goal.

    No mistake from Joe Simmonds, he adds another three to his tally.

  11. Postpublished at 18:11 British Summer Time 19 June 2021

    Exeter 37-30 Sale

    Like for Exeter in the final. Dislike if you think Sale can find a way to steal the win.

  12. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Exeter 37-30 Sale

    Sensational from Chiefs' Jack Yeandle, forcing a turnover.

    Exeter will have a scrum in midfield with five minutes to go.

  13. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Exeter 37-30 Sale

    Seven minutes to go, just seven points in it.

    This is one of the best Saturday's of Premiership rugby union ever.

    Sale have possession driving over halfway.

  14. try

    Try: Exeter 37-30 Salepublished at 71 mins

    Dan Du Preez, con Rob Du Preez

    Hang on!

    What a brutal carry from Dan du Preez, he drops a shoulder, slides off three tackles and stretches over the line for Sale.

    Where did that come from? We can't have a second amazing comeback can we?

    Dan du Preez tryImage source, Getty Images
  15. Replacementpublished at 70 mins

    Exeter 37-23 Sale

    That's Alex Cuthbert's last act. On comes Scotland captain Stuart Hogg.

    Right then, Sale have 10 minutes to keep their fantastic season alive.

    They have the ball deep into Exeter territory.

  16. Postpublished at 18:02 British Summer Time 19 June 2021

    Exeter 37-23 Sale

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent at Sandy Park

    There it is. Exeter are heading back to Twickenham.

  17. try

    Try: Exeter 37-23 Salepublished at 67 mins

    Alex Cuthbert, missed con Joe Simmonds

    Is this the try that sends Exeter back to Twickenham?

    Right on the line and Alex Cuthbert is the man to take the ball over.

    Joe Simmonds misses the conversation, but Sandy Park doesn't seem to care. It's a party atmosphere now.

    14 points the lead with as many minutes to go.

    Alex Cuthbert tryImage source, Rex Features
  18. Postpublished at 65 mins

    Exeter 32-23 Sale

    Exeter are inches away now. Can they bulldoze the ball over the line?

  19. Postpublished at 64 mins

    Exeter 32-23 Sale

    Chiefs! Bang, bang. Chiefs!

    There's some atmosphere at Sandy Park.

    On the pitch Exeter's Luke Cowan-Dickie is replaced by Jack Yeandle. The singing stops to give LCD a standing ovation.

    Exeter Chiefs fansImage source, Rex Features
  20. Postpublished at 62 mins

    Exeter 32-23 Sale

    Exeter win a penalty and pin the ball right in the corner.

    Is this the moment they finally pull clear?

    No, more last-ditch defending from Sale who turn the ball over on their own try-line.