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White shines as Exeter set Saracens date

Former Wallabies and Brumbies No.9 Nic White was named man of the match as Exeter earned the right to defend their English Premiership crown against Saracens.

Nic White.
Former Brumbies and Wallabies playmaker Nic White starred in Exeter's win over Newcastle. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Former Wallabies Nic White and Lachie Turner's Exeter will face Will Skelton's Saracens in the English Premiership final after cruising to victory against Newcastle.

The Falcons' Premiership play-off debut proved a deflating affair at Sandy Park as Exeter romped home 36-5.

The Chiefs never looked back after building a 16-point interval advantage through man of the match White's try, plus three penalties and a conversion from his halves partner Joe Simmonds.

Newcastle were never allowed into the contest, having to stage a prolonged defensive rearguard as Exeter pulled further away through tries by wing Olly Woodburn and flanker Don Armand.

Alex Tait claimed a consolation try for Newcastle, but their impressive campaign ended on an afternoon when they were dominated in every key department.

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"I think the scoreline probably doesn't reflect how hard that was and how hard Newcastle made that game for us," White told BT Sport.

"But none of that matters now, we go on to next week now.

"We're having fun, we're working hard and we'll see where it takes us."

The Falcons had just seven per cent of possession in the first 10 minutes, and they continued to be pinned inside their own half, making numerous tackles before a second Simmonds penalty took Exeter six points clear.

Exeter finally breached Newcastle's defence a minute before the break following a thrilling move launched from inside his own half by Chiefs fullback Turner.

The Australian's searing pace caused panic in Newcastle's defence, and after flanker Dave Ewers and Woodburn supported superbly, White touched down between the posts and Simmonds converted for a 16-point lead.

Earlier, Owen Farrell kicked 27 points as Saracens swatted aside Wasps 57-33 to book their place at Twickenham.

The England five-eighth set his team on their way early in the first half on Saturday, bursting through from halfway before laying off for Alex Lozowski to go over under the posts with less then three minutes gone.

Maro Itoje then powered to within inches of the line before prop Vincent Koch dived over to double Saracens' lead as they swarmed all over their opponents.

Farrell added two first-half penalties to put Saracens 20-0 up before Wasps replied with a Willie Le Roux try, but a third penalty by Farrell sent his team into the halftime break with a comfortable lead.

Saracens began the second half like they did the first as Chris Wyles crossed in the corner to leave Wasps needing a miracle in what proved to be the highest-scoring semi-final in history.


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