DAVID Humphreys wants Gloucester to ‘take something meaningful out of the season’ when they tackle Edinburgh in the European Challenge Cup final on May 1 at The Stoop.

Indeed, playing the match at the home of Harlequins could prove a good omen for the Cherry and Whites as they won the competition there in 2006 when beating London Irish 36-34 in extra time.

Saturday’s performance was good and director of rugby Humphreys praised a full eighty minutes in beating Exeter Chiefs 30-19 at Kingsholm on Saturday night and said it was a display they have wanted throughout the campaign..

Gloucester had to withstand two surges from the Chiefs when their Aviva Premiership rivals came back from 13-3 down to 13-12 and also to within four points at the end before England wing Jonny May went over for a cracking try to seal it.

The Cherry and Whites scored tries centre Bill Meakes and lock Tom Savage along with May’s touchdown, with scrum-half Greig Laidlaw kicking two penalties and three conversions and fly-half James Hook added a long-distance penalty.

For Exeter, fly-half Henry Slade kicked four penalties, with his replacement Gareth Steenson adding the conversion to substitute prop Elvis Taione's late try.

Humphreys said: "It was a complete performance from the first minute to the last."

"We've been criticised throughout the season for not doing that and we knew if we were to beat Exeter we had to be on the very top of our game.

"We didn't panic, our set piece was strong and we defended well when they came back at us as I knew they would."

"Our league position is not an accurate reflection of our season as we are a better team than that."

Edinburgh hammered a woeful Newport Gwent Dragons on Friday night and Humphreys believes they will prove formidable opponents on May 1.

"Edinburgh were very impressive in defeating the Dragons. It's the best I've seen them play all season.

"To be in the final is massive for both clubs. It is the opportunity for us to take something meaningful out of the season. We have talked about it right through the season, that there will be ups and downs.

“Setting aside our league position, we know we are a better team than that (league position) and this performance against a very good team proved that.

“Getting to a final this year is a huge achievement by the players, taking into account everything that has happened. It has been a disruptive year but this is a reward for the guys.

“You don’t see it behind the scenes but every week, whether we have won, lost or drawn, they turn up with an incredible enthusiasm and determination to bring success here.

“Despite a couple of set-backs, there is a really good vibe around the squad and that was reflected in the performance against Exeter. I thought our big international players put in big performances and that is what lifted everyone along.”

And Humphreys will come face to face with his former Ulster colleague Alan Solomons, who is head coach of Edinburgh.

“Alan is someone I know very well. He coached me for three years at Ulster and he will bring a team which will be very well organised and hugely motivated. It is going to be a huge final for both clubs.”