Chiefs book third Premiership final on the bounce

London’s Calling again for Rob Baxter and his Exeter Chiefs side after they breezed their way into a third successive Aviva Premiership Final with victory over visiting Newcastle Falcons.

The defending champions dominated throughout at a sun-drenched Sandy Park to set-up a mouth-watering encounter against Saracens at HQ in a week’s time.

Three Joe Simmonds penalties allowed the Chiefs to build up a head of steam before Aussie scrum-half Nic White stole over under the posts just before the break to claim the first of three converted tries for the Devonians.

Olly Woodburn and skipper Don Armand would add further scores, both of which were converted, to put the finishing touches on a polished performance from Baxter’s side.

Falcons replacement Alex Tait helped himself to a second half score to put Dean Richards’ side on the board, but that was scant reward on an afternoon when they struggled to cope with Exeter’s sheer power, pace and precision.

Two weeks after rounding off the regular season with an impressive victory at Harlequins, one which ensured the Chiefs finished top of the pile for the first time in their history, Baxter welcomed back Alec Hepburn, Armand, Sam Simmonds and Henry Slade into his starting line-up for this last four showdown.

The visitors, meanwhile, welcomed back former England international Toby Flood into their line-up at fly-half - and he was one of eight changes they made to their line-up from that which was defeated at home by Wasps in Round 22.

With personnel in place and a capacity crowd packed into every corner of Sandy Park, it was the Chiefs – up against a stiff first half wind – who set the early tone.

For the full story, go to: https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-36-falcons-5