First scrum and it's a penalty for Connacht.

It's great work from the tighthead Finley Bealham who receives a pat on the back from his team mates.

Josh Navidi
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions back row on BBC Radio Wales

It's a high-risk, high-reward way that Cardiff play with the offloads out the back.

It's something that across the board the coaching team has brought to Cardiff with the new crop of players they've brought through.

That's a better Cardiff lineout and they're back on the attack.

Tom Bowen finds a hole in the defence, but the ball is knocked on and Bundee Aki comes away with it.

A great start from the hosts, but Ellis Bevan gets isolated and it's turnover ball.

Breathless stuff.

A good exit from Connacht and a first look at the Cardiff lineout.

It's overthrown, but Alun Lawrence tidies up and sets them off on the attack.

It's a great run deep into Connacht territory from Ray Lee-Lo.

Morne Ferreira is on whistle duty tonight and it's Ben Thomas who gets us going under the Friday night lights.

The four highest-ranked clubs in each of the three Challenge Cup groups will progress alongside the fifth-ranked clubs from the four Champions Cup sections.

So, if Cardiff defeat Connacht they know they will finish in the top four of Pool 1 and qualify for the last 16 in April.

Victory would guarantee Cardiff's progression regardless of what happens when Lyon host Cheetahs on Saturday and when Zebre entertain Perpignan the following day.

Connacht are already guaranteed to finish top of the pool having gained a maximum 15 points from three games so far.

So the Irish province have already booked a home knockout game, which Cardiff are also hoping to emulate.

For that to happen, Matt Sherratt's side need to finish second in their group or be one of the best two third-placed finishers from the three pools.

Image source, BBC Sport

Josh Navidi
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions back row on BBC Radio Wales

The list of injuries goes on and on.

What Matt Sherratt has done with Cardiff is develop everyone, so the skillset is across the board, everyone is delivering the same key messages that’s been delivered during the week.

Some boys will probably be rested with the Six Nations coming up, they’ll have been told to ease off the pace with those guys.

There has been changes but you look at players like Alex Mann, Tom Young in the back row, Alun Lawrence, who’s been outstanding, and you’ve got Ben Thomas as well who’s in the Welsh squad, and also Ray Lee-Lo who’s still going at centre.

It’s still a strong strong side!

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff have no less than 15 players unavailable for tonight's match.

This includes Wales squad trio Taulupe Faletau - who faces a race to be fit for the Six Nations opener against France on 31 January - Josh Adams and James Botham.

The other players include: Tinus de Beer, Theo Cabango, Aled Davies, Corey Domachowski, Regan Grace, Mason Grady, Liam Belcher, Harri Millard, Iwan Stephens, Ben Donnell, Ed Byrne and Gwilym Bradley.

Image source, Getty Images

Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins said: "It is an enormous opportunity and a massive challenge.

“To finish as one of the top two seeds would give us huge motivation for the rest of the competition, and I’ve no doubt we have the ability to get the result we need.

"We’re also conscious that Cardiff are a very tough, physical side who are strong at home and have their own motivations to win, so it should be a great contest."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt said: "We have been consistent in saying that we want a knockout game at the Arms Park and we have the opportunity to do that on Friday night.

"That is our goal against a good Connacht team, who are well coached and have done very well so far in this competition.

"We have managed to pick up some points in France and now we have to back it up with a big performance.

"The boys are excited for the challenge ahead and determined to deliver a memorable night at the Arms Park.

"Our home support has been brilliant so far this season, they certainly give the players energy and can play a big role on Friday night."

Image source, Getty Images

Connacht have made four changes to the side that thrashed Lyon last week.

Byron Ralston (pictured) starts on the left wing, while in the pack there are starts for Josh Murphy in the second row, Conor Oliver at flanker and Paul Boyle at number eight.

Fly-half JJ Hanrahan is set to make his long-awaited comeback from the bench after suffering an ACL injury against Dragons last April.

Connacht: Santiago Cordero; Chay Mullins, Piers O'Conor, Bundee Aki, Byron Ralston; Josh Ioane, Ben Murphy; Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Josh Murphy, Joe Joyce, Cian Prendergast (capt), Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle.

Replacements: Eoin de Buitlear, Jordan Duggan, Jack Aungier, David O'Connor, Sean Jansen, Matthew Devine, JJ Hanrahan, David Hawkshaw.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff name Ben Thomas at fly-half for the first time this season, with Callum Sheedy on the bench.

Thomas is normally a centre, but is one of two fly-half options selected in Wales' Six Nations squad.

Head coach Matt Sherratt has made five changes to the side that lost to Perpignan, with full-back Jacob Beetham making his second start of the season.

He is preferred to Cameron Winnett who was overlooked by Warren Gatland earlier this week.

Wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb and flanker Thomas Young are fit again, while scrum-half Ellis Bevan also starts.

Hooker Efan Daniel has recovered from a long-term injury and is named among the replacements.

Cardiff: Jacob Beetham; Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Rey Lee-Lo, Rory Jennings, Tom Bowen; Ben Thomas (capt), Ellis Bevan; Rhys Barratt, Evan Lloyd, Kieron Assiratti, Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Thomas Young, Alun Lawrence.

Replacements: Efan Daniel, Danny Southworth, Rhys Litterick, Rory Thornton, Mackenzie Martin, Johan Mulder, Callum Sheedy, Cameron Winnett.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

What better way to kick off the weekend than some Friday night European rugby action?

Cardiff host Connacht at the Arms Park knowing victory will secure them a place in the Challenge Cup knockout stages.

The Irish visitors have already guaranteed top spot in Pool 1, having gained maximum points after three games.

Kick-off is on the way in 15 minutes, so let us take a look at how the teams line up.