The crowd is eerily silent as we enter a kicking contest. Liam Williams outfoxes Matteo Minozzi in the end, who isn't sure where that is bouncing but eventually lets it go into touch.

Italy with a line-out deep inside the Wales half, but this one is dwindling to the break.

Or not...

Image source, AFP

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales international on BBC One

In the last 10 minutes of the game Italy have done really well, but it's a simple handling error, and it hands Wales the chance to kick at goal. I think the choice to kick shows Wales' respect for the Italians and how well they've played.

Three points for Wales, an easy kick straight down the middle for fly-half Gareth Anscombe.

Two minutes until half-time.

Italy's scrum is looking wobbly. They survive, somehow, a handling error gives Wales the chance to increase their lead before the break.

Anscombe looks to the corner, but Taulupe Faletau points firmly to the posts.

A reminder, Wales need a bonus-point win to move from fifth to second place in the table.

Dafydd: Wales are showing that you can't just switch the style on when you make that many changes. Italy playing some great rugby at the moment.

Image source, PA

Wales win turnover ball in the midfield, Bradley Davies pops the ball out to Hadleigh Parkes but the centre kicks possession away.

Taulupe Faletau hares after it but Mattia Bellini gets back to ground it in-goal. Wales needed to be more patient there, as the Principality crowd falls back into silence.

Neither the team nor the crowd have quite got going yet.

Debutant flanker James Davies is the joint leading tackler so far - he and fly-half Gareth Anscombe have made nine apiece.

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales international on BBC One

Italy have played exceptionally well in this first half, and now they need to turn this pressure into points. I think apart from the missed tackle and the interception, they've had the better of the play.

Tommaso Allan misses on his second attempt of the afternoon, and he won't be happy with that.

But just under 10 minutes left in this half, and Italy are still in touch.

That was very silly by Gareth Anscombe. Taulupe Faletau collects Italy's clearance kick and offloads to fly-half Anscombe, who instead of taking charge, just wanders into trouble.

He looked devoid of ideas there, ambled into the tackle, got isolated and Italy won the penalty. Not his best idea.

Italy will have a kick at goal.

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales international on BBC One

Again, Italy were just slightly isolated there. They just need to increase their tempo when they're attacking Wales - they're a bit one-paced going at the moment.

In the next phase of play, Italy turn down a chance at three points and punt to the corner.

It's all a bit messy but the visitors secure the ball and start scrambling towards the five-metre line. But there's Ospreys prop Nicky Smith with two hands over the ball. A perfect example of how to win a turnover.

Gareth Anscombe will clear, and Wales will hope for a bit of possession now. They've been under the cosh for the last five.

Wales have made 161 metres ball in hand to Italy's 71, but interestingly the visitors have made 51 passes to 34 by the hosts.

Wales have also conceded four turnovers to just the two of Italy - but they lead where it counts on the scoreboard.

Dean Pascoe: FaletOWW! more like, right?

That tackle from Faletau made the headlines, but Sergio Parisse put his side in danger with a truly terrible pass to nothing.

With plenty of runners joining the line, the Italian captain hurled his pass about five metres behind all of them. That will not make his highlight reel.

Liam O'Toole: I got whiplash just watching that Faletau hit.

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales international on BBC One

That's a huge hit, a massive tackle. But the best thing about it was the decision - the Italians had an overlap on the outside - so Toby Faletau had to make that tackle and boy did he make it.

And play breaks up. Sergio Parisse with a deep pass but Liam Williams gets a boot to it and there's a foot race between the Wales full-back and Matteo Minozzi.

Williams gets there first but Italy somehow turn it over and come away with the ball.

But my oh my. Taulupe Faletau take a bow.

He lines up Tomasso Allan, who gets crunched by the Wales captain. Just a winding I think and he's back on his feet, with a little nod to the number eight.

But Sergio Parisse goes down early and he's in the way of the driving maul. Jerome Garces awards a free-kick to Italy, and they'll have the put-in at the scrum.

Another set-piece, another attack for the visitors. The game has entered a different stage after the frantic running rugby of the first 10 minutes.

The huge frame of Cory Hill hones in on Marcello Violi's box-kick and thwarts its path, but to no avail. It bounces straight back into the hands of a blue shirt.

Play continues, and Jerome Garces plays a long, long advantage before we come back for a late tackle from James Davies. That was unnecessary.

Italy are now deep into Wales territory and will be looking to push over the line here.