In a disrupted European season, we have two of the best teams in world rugby doing battle for Europe’s elite club prize in Bristol this weekend.

It was plain sailing for Exeter Chiefs in the pool stages, racking up five straight victories to lock in their spot as Pool 2 winners with relative ease. The only minor hiccup was a 31-31 draw with Glasgow at Scotstoun, with former Warrior Stuart Hogg hitting the crossbar with a last-gasp penalty.

Their quarter-final was also won with relative ease, putting Northampton Saints away in the second period to run out 38-15 winners.

That win set up an Anglo-French semi-final against Pool 5 winners Toulouse. The French side dominated the first half but tries from Harry Williams and Sam Simmonds put Exeter 14-11 at the break.

Exeter took over in the second half, bagging two more tries through Williams and Joe Simmonds, before a late consolation try through Matthis Lebel meant Exeter ran out 28-18 winners.

Racing 92 took the scenic route to this season’s final, having successfully navigated Pool 4, widely dubbed as the ‘Pool of Death’.

A 30-10 Round 1 win over defending champions Saracens got the ball rolling, before a thrilling 21-21 draw in Limerick against Munster Rugby was backed up with two victories over Ospreys, leaving them in pole position to qualify.

They would then enjoy a 39-22 win over Munster in Paris, but a 27-24 defeat to Saracens in Round 6 meant the English side would join them in the last eight, and meant that Racing would have to travel to ASM Clermont Auvergne in the quarter-finals.

Eight months after their final pool stage match, Racing returned with one of the performances of the season, pulling apart the Challenge Cup holders in a comprehensive 36-27 win at Stade Marcel Michelin.

That set up a semi-final clash with pool stage rivals Saracens, a match that looked to be heading the way of the defending champions.

Saracens led 15-12 with four minutes to play, but Finn Russell turned the match on its head, pulling off a stunning chipped kick into the path of Virimi Vakatawa on halfway.

He fumbled the ball but managed to keep hold of possession, sprinted clear before handing back to the fly-half who found Juan Imhoff with the try line at his mercy.

Saturday 17 October – EXETER CHIEFS v RACING 92
Ashton Gate, Bristol (16:45 UK and Irish time)

One side will have their name etched on the Heineken Champions Cup for the first time on Saturday when Exeter Chiefs face Racing 92 in a mouthwatering final at Ashton Gate.