It all comes down to this. Preconceptions and everything that has gone before mean nothing once the whistle blows.

For both Exeter and Cardiff Met, they know that they are 80 minutes away from reaching the final at Sixways. The BUCS Championship Final is so close, but yet tantalisingly out of reach.

Knockout rugby has a strange way of levelling things up, with previous form going out the window. This was proven last Wednesday, as EURFC had to dig deep to see of Hartpury 19-16 in the quarter finals.

It was an even tighter affair for Cardiff Met, as they recovered from a 16-point deficit to edge city rivals Cardiff 34-33, to set up a match for the ages at Topsham.

Reflecting on last Wednesday’s victory, scrum half Will Yarnell admitted that his side were “really relieved” to get over the line.

“It was a bit nip and tuck towards the end, but it also showed our defensive performance that we can put in. There were some big old boys from Hartpury that came down and they really tested us. I think we’ve got some improvements to make in our attack but we’re really proud of our defence.”

In securing victory over Hartpury, Exeter became the first side to beat the Gloucestershire based side in the BUCS Super Rugby knockouts; ensuring that there will be a new name on the trophy this year.

Cardiff Met though, are no pushovers and will be buoyed by their recent league victory over Exeter at Cyncoed.

Yarnell missed that match through injury but explained how the disappointment of their performance that night was now driving the side forwards.

“It was a really tough one to take going up to Cyncoed and coming off with a loss. The boys were gutted on the bus back afterwards,” he admitted. “We had a lot of tough reflections, but I think we’ve spotted a few things that we can work on and really take into them.”

Despite scoring three tries at home to Hartpury last Wednesday, it was a victory that was secured thanks to a huge defensive effort from the side. That refusal to give an inch and do everything in their power to stop the opposition from scoring has been a key facet of Exeter’s game this season, with Yarnell highlighting how it had helped them secure victory on several occasions.

“It’s something we’ve shown throughout the season. We’ve done it against Bath twice and at Varsity as well. It’s about taking the characteristics that we have as a team and building them into the semis.”

Ahead of kick-off, EURFC have made just one personnel change to the starting XV from last Wednesday’s quarter final. With Max Bliss injured in that match, Dan John switches to fullback, as Tom Eelman starts out outside centre.

The only other change to the matchday side sees fullback Benjy Joseland named amongst the replacements after a four-try Man of the Match performance on Saturday against Hornets in the South West Premier.

Joseland’s inclusion in the side marks a return to BUCS Super Rugby action for the first time since round 2 against Durham, where the first-year student suffered a serious shoulder injury.

Whilst Joseland and many other players in the side still have more years to come in an EURFC shirt, Wednesday will mark the last time that several of the squad will run out at Topsham in the famous green and white.

Scrum half Yarnell is one of those and, with 33 BUCS Super Rugby appearances under his belt, he will be hoping that number 34 is the one that sends his side through to the final.

“To pull on the shirt at Topsham is something special. I’ve done it for four years now. It’s not only being able to do it alongside the boys you’ve played with for that time, but also being able to do it in front of your friends and family,” he beamed.

Yarnell also explained how the club have banded together this week, to make sure that the support on Wednesday is as vocal as it can be.

“We’ve asked the boys to come down in their droves this Wednesday. If they turn up and bring the noise, we’ll turn up and hopefully bring the performance. It’s going to be an almighty clash here at Topsham.”

Wednesday’s semi final is being livestreamed by BUCS, with coverage starting from 1.40pm.

There will also be live match updates on the EURFC social media accounts, with kick-off at Topsham at 2pm.