The Falcons have all their heavy-hitters on the field in Goneva, Sinoti and Nili Latu, but the latter is stopped in his tracks brilliantly by Joe Simmonds.

Nothing is going right for Newcastle as Hammersley knocks on from a high ball, gifting Exeter field position just 20 metres from the try line... but this time the scrum penalty goes Newcastle's way.

Goneva is not having a good day as he is stripped of the ball by White - a man half his size - and then a boot down field over Hammersley bobbles into touch to put Newcastle under pressure near their own try line. An up-and-under from the Falcons is well taken by Woodburn and two phases later Newcastle are pinged for diving in off their feet. Joe Simmonds makes no mistake with the penalty.

Possible head injury to Hammersley as he dipped into contact with Ewers. Looks like he's shaken the blow off, though. Probably more neck than head.

Lovely step and inside pass from Slade to Turner puts the Aussies through a gap but he's hauled down by Olmstead. Still, penalty to the Chiefs and Joe Simmonds pops it over, riding the wind.

A horrible, floated pass from Joe Simmonds isn't long enough to reach Slade and Goneva almost has the chance of another intercept but he can't take it cleanly. That pass shows the strength of the wind.

Newcastle have 40 minutes to turn this around and they are playing into the wind, away from home. This is a monumental challenge. A decent surge by Graham give the visitors a good platform, but Michael Young's box-kick just goes straight up in the air. Newcastle recover possession but are forced to attack from deep and Sinoti Sinoti is pinged for holding on. Exeter kick for touch and have a line-out in a very strong position.

The Chiefs have been totally dominant, enjoying 92 per cent possession, and only some heroic defence from the Falcons has kept them in the game.

To put Exeter's domination into context, the Chiefs only had to make nine tackles in the first half - Newcastle had to make 154!!

Sensational break from Lachie Turner who sprints across field before cutting inside Chris Harris. He's eventually brought down by Simon Hammersley but Ewers is able to pick the ball up and rumble on, he offloads to Woodburn, Alec Hepburn recycles, Exeter are just metres out, and White picks up from the base of the ruck and launches himself over the try line. The conversion is good.

Just for a moment Goneva's eyes light up as Nic White's pass wide is intercepted by the giant Fijian but before he is able to get up a head of steam he is hauled down.

Exeter are dominating at scrum time as Newcastle are pinged for collapsing on the half-way line. It's too far out for a kick at goal so Exeter go for the line-out, it's clean, but strong Falcons defence earns a turnover.

Butter-fingers from Goneva as he drops the ball in open play. Very unlike the Premiership's player of the season.

Newcastle have had very little of the ball and, when they do, Flood kicks on third phase. Surely with the strike weapons they have the ball should be going through the hands!?

It's now a treble blow for Newcastle as prop Scott Wilson - who leaves the field on a stretcher - is forced off the pitch and Davy Wilson comes on in his place.

Exeter's tactics of utilising the rolling maul and then spreading the play makes valuable metres. And now Newcastle are down to 14 men as Evan Olmstead is shown a yellow card for diving over the ruck, off his feet, and slapping down the ball. Replays show that may have been harsh as he wasn't off his feet. Nevertheless, Joe Simmonds kicks the ensuing penalty and it's a double-blow for the Falcons.

Exeter are beyond 20 phases now and the referee can be heard to say "advantage" for a high tackle. The Chiefs look to spread the play with quick passes, but the ball goes to ground and play is brought back for a kick at goal, which Joe Simmonds nails.

It's unlikely this game will be as open as the Saracens v Wasps match with both defences - especially Newcastle's judging by the early play - very well drilled. Armand and Ewers make themselves available on the crash-ball, but time and time again they are repelled.

Toby Flood spots a huge gap between Jonny Hill and Slade and breaks through it but a miraculous tap-tackle by Hill brings the former England fly-half down. That was a vital tap because otherwise Flood was away.

Exeter are using their forwards to smash holes in the Newcastle defence - Armand, Dave Ewers, Lees, Luke Cowan-Dickie - and that's a penalty to the hosts for flopping on the ball. The kick is right in front so should be straightforward for Joe Simmonds... and is.

Another penalty against the Chiefs on the floor as Newcastle commit three men to the breakdown and claim the turnover. That's the third time it's happened. Exeter may need to rethink their tactics at the breakdown.

Slade is dictating play and once again makes a mini-break before releasing Mitch Lees who finds Sam Simmonds. Lees has had a couple of good runs... but Exeter are pinged for holding on to the ball. Again, good Newcastle defence.

Graham is penalised for a high tackle, but that's very, very harsh as Olly Woodburn was not only ducking but also falling over. Only a penalty, though, no yellow card.

Slade steps out of one tackle in the middle of the park, takes a couple of strides forward before releasing Sam Simmonds who trundles forward and is brought down 20 metres out. Phase after phase, the Chiefs control the ball and make hard-earned inroads before, on the 25th phase, the hosts are penalised and the ball is turned over.

Tenth phase of possession from Exeter and they're yet to get beyond the half-way line as Newcastle's defence holds firm.

Newcastle get us underway and Henry Slade claims the ball before it's recycled and punted skyward, but Vereniki Goneva takes well. A steady start from both sides. No mistakes yet.

The players are on the pitch, we're seconds away from starting.

With the nasty-looking leg injury to Jack Willis earlier today, the clash between Don Armand and Gary Graham could hold extra significance. Which one will Eddie Jones turn to if Willis is ruled out of this summer's tour to South Africa?

Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards:

"The players have been excited ever since they knew they were going to be in the semis, so it's actually all about curbing it and making sure we get that focus on the important things, and I don't think that will be an issue at all.

"The boys are switched on and ready to roll. There is nothing to fear at all.

"Everyone is tipping Exeter to win. We've got absolutely nothing to lose going down there, and we will give it our all and see what happens.

"These little percentages here and there make a massive difference when you come to semi-finals.

"You can always get away with it throughout the regular season, but when you come down to the semi-finals and final stages, that accuracy really, really counts."

Exeter head coach Rob Baxter:

 "I don't think there is any way you can say the mood in the camp is like it is before any other Premiership game.

"You can try and talk like that, but the reality is that everybody knows it is not. It is a Premiership semi-final and everyone knows it will be different."

Newcastle's bid to reach a first Aviva Premiership final is lifted by former England fly-half Toby Flood returning from injury today at Sandy Park.

The Falcons, Premiership champions in 1998 before play-offs began, make a semi-final debut after an impressive season that saw them finish fourth behind Exeter, Saracens and Wasps.

Flood had been sidelined for six weeks due to a hand problem, but he features in a Newcastle team skippered by flanker Mark Wilson that also includes wing Vereniki Goneva, who was crowned Premiership player of the season earlier this week.

Reigning champions Exeter, bidding to reach a third successive Twickenham final, include four England squad members who will tour South Africa next month in centre Henry Slade, hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, lock Jonny Hill and No 8 Sam Simmonds.

The teams will be greeted by glorious sunshine and a capacity crowd, with Saracens awaiting the winners next Saturday.

Saracens are through to Twickenham after a thrilling 57-33 victory over Wasps at Allianz Park. 

Jack Nowell, Sam Simmonds and Henry Slade: Meet the local boys taking Exeter to greater heights. 

Gary Graham is attempting to follow in his father's footsteps when he faces the might of the Exeter Chiefs in today's Aviva Premiership semi-final.

The Newcastle flanker and his team-mates may be the surprise package in the end-of-season shoot-out, but it is not entirely unfamiliar territory for the club.

Twenty years ago, the Falcons lifted the title with Scotland international prop George Graham among their ranks, and his 25-year-old son is desperate to emulate that achievement.

Asked how much of an influence his father has been on his career, Graham said: "He's been massive.

"He always watches my games - and heavily criticises what I have done wrong - but that's good for my work-ons.

"Obviously he won it 20 years ago. I'm here now - I'd like to say we could do it again with me carrying on the name."

The competitiveness that George Graham has drummed into his sons - Gary's younger brother Guy is also on the books at Kingston Park - has served them well. And it is something that extends far beyond the rugby pitch.

Gary said: "The game has changed massively from when he was playing, but the fundamentals haven't, the work ethic, the mindset, all those types of things.

"He's built them into us from when we were young lads, me and my brothers, and that is probably what has helped me the most.

"Every time we go back to the house, it doesn't matter what it is, we're all super, super-competitive. If there's a can of pop left and it's a fight to get the last one, then I'm sure we all will.

"My whole family is massively competitive. We all play rugby at different ages and different levels, but one thing that you will find with the Grahams is that we're super-competitive."