Gloucester vs Cardiff Blues LIVE: European Challenge Cup final latest score and updates
Follow the latest from the European Challenge Cup final in Bilbao
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Your support makes all the difference.The European Challenge Cup final sees Premiership side Gloucester attempt to win the tournament for the third time, but a resurgent Cardiff Blues stand in their way at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.
After seeing off Newcastle Falcons in their semi-final, Gloucester will feature in their third final in four years, having won the Challenge Cup back in 2015 in defeating Edinburgh before losing out to Stade Francais last year.
The Cherry & Whites ended their Premiership campaign last weekend in disappointment as they were heavily beaten by Saracens, which allowed rivals Bath to pinch sixth place off them and qualification for next season’s Champions Cup. However, given that Leinster and Racing 92 – the two Champions Cup finalists – have already qualified as well as Cardiff, Gloucester are guaranteed a place in next year’s tournament regardless of this result.
But while Gloucester finished their domestic campaign with a whimper, Cardiff are very much on the up. A landslide victory over the Southern Kings was followed by the Champions Cup semi-final win over Pau, and although rounded off the season with a narrow 26-23 defeat by the Ospreys, they were still able to claim one of the six automatic qualification berths for the Champions Cup.
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What time does it start?
The European Challenge Cup final kicks off at 20:00 BST [21:00 CET] on Friday 11 May.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 19:15 BST and Sky Sports Action from 19:30 BST.
Teams
Gloucester: Jason Woodward; Tom Marshall, Billy Twelvetrees, Mark Atkinson, Henry Trinder; Billy Burns, Callum Braley; Josh Hohneck, James Hanson, John Afoa; Ed Slater, Mariano Galarza; Jake Polledri, Lewis Ludlow, Ruan Ackermann
Replacements: Motu Matu'u, Val Rapava Ruskin, Fraser Balmain, Freddie Clarke, Ben Morgan, Ben Vellacott, Andy Symons, Tom Hudson
Cardiff Blues: Gareth Anscombe; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo, Blaine Scully; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Rhys Gill, Kristian Dacey, Taufa'ao Filise; Seb Davies, Josh Turnbull; Josh Navidi, Ellis Jenkins, Nick Williams.
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Brad Thyer, Scott Andrews, Damian Welch, Olly Robinson, Lloyd Williams, Garyn Smith, Matthew Morgan
Odds
Gloucester to win: 5/6
Cardiff Blues to win: 11/8
Draw (after 80 minutes): 25/1
7 mins: The good news quickly turns bad for the Welsh side as flanker Josh Navidi is forced off with an injury to his right arm, with Olly Robinson on in his place.
9 mins: TRY FOR GLOUCESTER!
Billy Burns chips a cross-field kick to the left corner, and Henry Trinder produces a lovely diving catch to score the first try of the match. Twelvetrees adds the touchline conversion and Gloucester lead 3-7.
13 mins: Cardiff go close to making an immediate reply as they break down the right-hand side and Lee-Lo puts in Owen Lane for the corner. But scrum-half Braley produces a brilliant tackle to drag his boot into touch and save the try.
15 mins: Gloucester attempt to clear their lines but are penalised at the ruck, and Evans adds his second penalty of the match. 6-7
21 mins: The Blues waste a good chance to counter attack after strong work from Jenkins on the floor sees him pinch the ball with space out wide, but Halaholo knocks it forwards and the chance goes begging, handing Gloucester a good chance of their own with a scrum on the edge of the 22.
24 mins: Strangely, Jerome Garces awarded Cardiff the put-in - I'm not sure what he saw there to lead to that decision - but it does allow Evans to clear their lines successfully.
25 mins: There's a lull in play as Burns receives some treatment following a whack from Jenkins, who is making a right nuisance of himself so far, but the fly-half is good to continue.
26 mins: Penalty against Cardiff this time as Galarza is penalised for not rolling away after the tackle, and it gives Twelvetrees a simple shot at goal from about 25 metres out.
27 mins: Twelvetrees' effort sails through the posts and extends Gloucester's lead to 6-10.
29 mins: It's another cruel blow for Cardiff as Owen Lane is forced off with yet another arm injury, and just like Navidi he has his right arm in a makeshift sling and looks to be in some pain. Garyn Smith comes on in his place in the right wing, but that's two early replacements for the Blues.
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