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Summary

  • FT: Gloucester 40-23 Benetton

  • Use audio icon at the top of the page for 5 Live or Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio Gloucestershire commentary

  • Gloucester have twice won European Challenge Cup and were runners up in 2017 and 2018

  • Hosts have beaten Benetton in three previous meetings in the Challenge Cup

  • Benetton have never reached a European Cup final in their history

  • Winner will face South African side Sharks in the final on 24 May at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

  1. That's all folkspublished at 16:57 British Summer Time 4 May

    FT: Gloucester 40-23 Benetton

    What an afternoon for Gloucester and a reward for the Kingsholm fans, who we all know haven't had the easiest season with results in the Premiership.

    The Cherry and Whites are into the Challenge Cup final for the fifth time and this might just sweeten the season for Gloucester.

    That's all from us today, thank you for joining us.

  2. 'Gloucester's work rate dug them out of a hole'published at 16:54 British Summer Time 4 May

    FT: Gloucester 40-23 Benetton

    Simon Devereux
    Former Gloucester forward on Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio Gloucestershire

    When Benetton came out in the second half I thought they looked a better team and I didn't know if Gloucester could deal with them.

    Then it was 18-16 and Benetton looked like the side that were improving and Gloucester were floundering a bit.

    But they found a way to sort it out on the pitch and comeback with try after try.

    For me, there was some really key work in that second half. Their workrate dug them out of a bit of a hole when they were under the cosh.

  3. Gloucester reach fifth Challenge Cup finalpublished at 16:51 British Summer Time 4 May

    FT: Gloucester 40-23 Benetton

    Gloucester remain on track for their second trophy this season and their third in the Challenge Cup.

    First-half tries from Josh Hathaway and Seb Blake helped them to a 15-6 lead, before Rhyno Smith pulled one back right on the break to close the gap.

    Adam Hastings and Freddie Clarke added more tries either side to two from Gianmarco Lucchesi before Ollie Thorley added the fifth score for the Cherry and Whites right at the end, to take them beyond 40 points.

  4. Gloucester reach European Challenge Cup finalpublished at 16:48 British Summer Time 4 May
    Breaking

    FT: Gloucester 40-23 Benetton

    Gloucester's Zach Mercer celebratesImage source, Rex Features

  5. try

    Try; Gloucester 40-23 Benettonpublished at 16:45 British Summer Time 4 May

    Ollie Thorley (78 mins)

    Gloucester are on the verge of another final!

    Ollie Thorley adds the extras right at the death, as the ball comes loose from a Benetton line-out and Gloucster capitalise.

    Thorley eventually scoops it up and touches down.

    Adam Hastings - what an afternoon he's had - misses his conversion though.

  6. Postpublished at 16:42 British Summer Time 4 May

    Gloucester 35-23 Benetton

    Simon Devereux
    Former Gloucester forward on Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio Gloucester

    It feels like their chance has gone now for Benetton.

  7. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Gloucester 35-23 Benetton

    We're heading into the final five minutes at Kingsholm with Gloucester 12 points ahead.

    Benetton have an attacking scrum but Tomasso Menoncello drops the ball as it comes out and that, you think, could be that for the Italians.

  8. Replacement: Gloucesterpublished at 16:36 British Summer Time 4 May

    Gloucester 35-23 Benetton

    A couple more changes for Gloucester.

    One in the second row as Zach Mercer makes way for Jack Clement, with the other at scrum-half as Caolan Englefield's penalty is his last act of the day and Italian international Stephen Varney comes on.

    Benetton have also made a change in the last few minutes with Mirco Spagnolo on for Eli Snyman.

  9. Penalty: Gloucester 35-23 Benettonpublished at 16:34 British Summer Time 4 May

    Coalan Englefield (69 mins)

    A little more breathing space for the hosts as Caolan Englefield kicks another three points for Gloucester.

  10. try

    Try: Gloucester 32-23 Benettonpublished at 65 mins

    Gianmarco Lucchesi (66 mins)

    It's not all over yet...

    Benetton close the gap with just over 14 minutes on the clock, as replacement hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi rolls over from a driving maul for his second try of the afternoon.

    Tomas Albornoz adds the conversion.

  11. try

    Try: Gloucester 32-16 Benettonpublished at 16:26 British Summer Time 4 May

    Freddie Clarke (61 mins)

    Freddie Clarke scores for GloucesterImage source, Getty Images

    Wow.

    Kingsholm explodes as Freddie Clarke picks the ball off with an interception and sprints halfway down the field to swan dive over under the posts.

    Gloucester are roaring with confidence now as Adam Hastings kicks another conversion.

  12. Postpublished at 16:23 British Summer Time 4 May

    Gloucester 25-16 Benetton

    Simon Devereux
    Former Gloucester forward on Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio Gloucestershire

    Gloucester have just given Benetton a taste of their own medicine there.

  13. try

    Try: Gloucester 25-16 Benettonpublished at 16:22 British Summer Time 4 May

    Adam Hastings (58 mins)

    Adam Hastings kicks for GloucesterImage source, Rex Features

    What a try and what a pivotal moment this could be in this semi-final.

    It caps a lovely attacking move from Gloucester as Zach Mercer passes the ball over the top, Ollie Thorley breaks through the defence and Adam Hastings eventually darts between two players and over.

    The Scotland fly-half kicks his own conversion to move Gloucester nine points clear.

  14. Postpublished at 16:19 British Summer Time 4 May

    Gloucester 18-16 Benetton

    Simon Devereux
    Former Gloucester forward on Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio Gloucestershire

    That's the first time we've seen them in the strike zone from an attacking lineout like that

    Gloucester had no answer. It's clinical play.

  15. try

    Try: Gloucester 18-16 Benettonpublished at 16:18 British Summer Time 4 May

    Gianmarco Lucchesi (54 mins)

    Huge moment as Benetton pull a try back but miss the chance to draw level.

    It all came from a brilliant kick that put the Italians deep in Gloucester territory.

    They then play the hosts at their own game, powering forward with their maul from a line-out and replacement Gianmarco Lucchesi gets the ball down for the crucial try.

    Tomas Albornoz misses another conversion though and they stay two points behind..

  16. Replacementpublished at 50 mins

    Gloucester 18-11 Benetton

    Changes coming for Benetton as Edoardo Iachizzi and former Bristol Bears player Andy Uren come on for Simone Ferrari and Alessandro Garbisi.

  17. Penalty: Gloucester 18-11 Benettonpublished at 16:14 British Summer Time 4 May

    Adam Hastings (48 mins)

    That might slightly ease some Gloucester nerves as Adam Hastings slots another penalty to push the hosts seven points clear, after Benetton are caught offside.

  18. Replacementpublished at 16:13 British Summer Time 4 May

    Gloucester 15-11 Benetton

    Early changes from both coaches.

    Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington makes changes to his front row as Santiago Socino and Jamal Ford-Robinson come on for Mayco Vivas and Seb Blake.

    Gianmarco Lucchesi comes on for Benetton for Giacomo Nicotera.

  19. Postpublished at 43 mins

    Gloucester 15-11 Benetton

    Benetton are really trying to make that man advantage pay before Zach Mercer is brought back on from his yellow card.

    Benetton winger Onisi Ratave makes a dangerous line break but is pulled back in sight of the try line under a tackle by Gloucester full-back Josh Hathaway.

    Gloucester eventually regain possession and clear with a kick downfield.

  20. Postpublished at 41 mins

    Gloucester 15-11 Benetton

    What a start from Benetton who come out for the second-half like a rocket to put Gloucester under pressure with a counter-attack.

    Rhyno Smith - who scored just before half-time - comes charging down the wing and chases his own kick inside to really stretch the Cherry and Whites defence, who scramble to clear the danger.