Don Armand scored a try as the Exeter Chiefs beat the Newcastle Falcons 36-5 at Sandy Park to progress to the English Premiership final.
Exeter will face Saracens, who beat Wasps earlier in the day, in the Twickenham decider next Saturday.
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In an intense semi-final, the defending champions showed why they may be favourites to retain their title as they were clinical when it mattered and gave the Falcons nothing on attack.
The home side started well, with flyhalf Sam Simmonds kicking three penalties for a 9-0 lead. Newcastle received a further blow when lock Evan Olmstead was yellow-carded for cynical play.
On the verge of half-time, the Chiefs finally got the opening try when fullback Lachie Turner made a break into the Newcastle 22. After a couple of phases, scrumhalf Nic White dived over to put the hosts in pole position at the interval.
Simmonds slotted a further two penalties to push his side further ahead. The Falcons then hit back when wing Alex Tait broke through to give the visitors a glimmer of hope. However, Chiefs wing Olly Woodburn snuffed that out, scoring in the corner after White broke from the back of a scrum.
Armand, the former Stormers flank who has been snubbed by England coach Eddie Jones for their upcoming tour of South Africa, added a late try to seal a stylish victory for the Chiefs.
Exeter Chiefs – Tries: Nic White, Olly Woodburn, Don Armand. Conversions: Joe Simmonds (2), Gareth Steenson. Penalties: Simmonds (5).
Newcastle Falcons – Try: Alex Tait.
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Nic White, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Don Armand (c), 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Mitch Lees, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Alec Hepburn
Subs: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Thomas Waldrom, 21 Stuart Townsend, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Ian Whitten
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Michael Young, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Gary Graham, 6 Mark Wilson (c), 5 Evan Olmstead, 4 Calum Green, 3 Scott Wilson, 2 Kyle Cooper, 1 Sam Lockwood
Subs: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Rob Vickers, 18 David Wilson, 19 Will Witty, 20 Nili Latu, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Juan Pablo Socino, 23 Alex Tait
Photo: Tony Marshall/Getty Images
