A strong carry from Ben Thomas in midfield and Aled Davies is impeded as he looks to get the ball away.

A Cardiff penalty 25 metres out. It's in front of the posts and Liam Belcher summons the kicking tee.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Javan Sebastian is on for Cardiff and his first task is to get Cardiff on the front foot from this scrum.

After a reset though, fellow front row replacement Corey Domachowski loses his footing and it's a Benetton penalty.

Alex Cuthbert
Former Wales winger on BBC Radio Wales

Unbelievable defence from Cardiff. The intensity from Cardiff pushed Rhyno Smith over the line.

Cardiff turning the screw here as Ben Thomas again kicks cleverly and Paolo Odogwu can't gather.

Rhyno Smith tries to clean up the mess but he can only smother the loose ball before being tackled back over his own line.

It's an attacking scrum five metres out and what a chance for the hosts here.

Ouch.

Cardiff prop Rhys Barrett puts in a huge hit on opposite number Destiny Aminu and wins his side a penalty. I felt that from here.

Andy Uren opts for the box kick and some pin-ball follows in the Cardiff 22.

Ioan lloyd knocks on but thankfully for him, it appeared to go forward off a Benetton hand first.

Cardiff have a defensive scrum as the rain gets heavier still.

Ingrid, take a break will you for goodness sake.

Alex Cuthbert
Former Wales winger on BBC Radio Wales

It's great patience from Cardiff. We've seen the lineout play a few times.

That was the momentum change Cardiff needed.

That's careless from Giulio Marini.

The Benetton second row impedes Ioan Lloyd in the air and is penalised. And then does the classic 'I'm shocked' look at the decision.

Alex Cuthbert
Former Wales winger on BBC Radio Wales

It's another really silly penalty from Alex Mann, that was a dead ruck. It's such an easy three points for Benetton.

Image source, Rex Features

No problems this time for Rhyno Smith and Benetton are back within three.

The Benetton forwards hammer away with Siua Maile and Federico Ruzza both making big carries.

Cardiff are equal to it though and Keiron Assiratti puts in a huge tackle to avert the danger.

However, pressure eventually tells and the visitors get a penalty in front of the posts.

Great kick from Nicolas Roger Farias which rolls out metres from the Cardiff line.

What's worse for the home side is that it flicked Ben Thomas on the way through. Benetton have a lineout and an early chance here.

Jacob Beetham was limping towards the end of that first half and sure enough, he hasn't reappeared.

Ioan Lloyd replaces him. That at least gives Cardiff another long-range kicking option.

Ben Thomas gets us back underway and this next 40 minutes could be beautiful for the purists.

Benetton certainly won't be panicking mind. This is a side packed with experience - the starting XV alone boasts 10 internationals with almost 250 caps between them. Two others, Rhyno Smith and Ignacio Mendy, have played for their countries on the 7s circuit.

In tonight's other late kick-off, Glasgow Warriors currently lead Zebre 21-7 in Parma.

And here is a reminder of the scores from the three matches completed earlier today.

Scarlets 27-22 Ulster

Connacht 23-34 Leinster

Cape Town Stormers 19-30 Durban Sharks

Whatever the outcome tonight, it won't be the last time these sides see each other this season.

Both progressed in the European Challenge Cup and after last weekend's results, will now meet again in the last-16.

Critically, it's Benetton with the home advantage, with that contest taking place on Saturday, 4 April at the Stadio Monigo in Treviso.

Fraser Watson
BBC Sport Wales reporter

Cardiff deservedly lead, and in this weather, you feel getting two scores ahead would make it a long way back for Benetton.

The hosts started off with a real intensity with ball in hand but the afore-mentioned rain has meant a change of pace and tactics.

The Italian side are struggling to deal with Callum Sheedy's kicking game. Expect the Blue and Blacks to try and exploit that area after the break.

Alex Cuthbert
Former Wales winger on BBC Radio Wales

It was a good start from Cardiff in the first-half, but the weather has come in now and it looks really slippy.

If Cardiff had taken that opportunity right before half-time Benetton would've had a really tough job getting back into the game.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Callum Sheedy boots the ball into the stands and to summarise the rain, both sets of players strive to hit Usain Bolt pace as they head to the changing rooms.