Cornish Pirates flanker Chris Morgan could not have asked for a better start to the promotion play-offs.

Morgan will return to Bristol this evening looking to inflict an untimely blow on his old employers.

The 28-year-old, who spent six years with Bristol Rugby, said: "It's awesome, I don't think I could have asked for a better start to the play-offs.

"I'm really looking forward to the game, not just because it's the start of the play-offs, but because it's Bristol, my hometown club, my old club and the team that have shown in the first part of the season that they are the ones to beat.

"I know it's a tough start for us, but when you get to this stage of the season every game is going to be tough.

"We've talked for months about getting to this stage and now it is here, so we've got to be ready for it.

"Chris Stirling (Pirates' high performance manager) has said it's going to be like six Test matches for us – and it is.

"We know we are going to have to perform to our best every week if we want to progress."

With two defeats in the first part of the season against Bristol, the bookies have Paul Hull's side as clear favourites to triumph again tonight at the Memorial Stadium.

Morgan, however, is unconcerned. He said: "They can mix their game up well and they've got some class players there.

"At the same time, though, we know if we perform to our capabilities, we are more than capable of pulling off a result against them.

"We've really been progressing over the last few weeks. I think we are definitely a much-improved side to the one Bristol faced back in January.

"Our game has really come on since then and I genuinely believe we can go up there and give it a right go against them."