Rob Higgitt is urging his Scarlets team-mates to be on their guard when the Guinness Premiership's bottom club, Bristol, visit Stradey Park on Friday in the EDF Energy Cup.

Bristol had lost 13 games on the trot, including the last six games of last season, before beating Toulon last Friday.

But centre Higgitt, who joined Llanelli from Bristol during the summer, believes Richard Hill's men are a better team than their league placing suggests.

He said: "It is going to be a very tough match for us. Bristol are a very strong team. They pose threats right across the board.

"All their Premiership matches have been close this season. They lost to Sale by three points and when I was at the Memorial Stadium earlier this month they were unlucky not to win against Saracens.

"If a couple of matches had gone their way then they would have been higher up the table.

"Whatever team Bristol put out, we know they will be competitive. They played well last week and nearly got a bonus point.

"Toulon are an up-and-coming, good French team. Bristol will be disappointed that they have not claimed more wins, but I am sure the victories will come soon."

Higgitt, who made 111 appearances for Bristol in five years at the Memorial Stadium, has won four starts out of five matches for the Scarlets in the Magners League this season but was among the replacements for their Heineken Cup defeats to Harlequins and Stade Francais.

The 27-year-old is hoping to be back in the starting line-up for a poignant clash with his former club.

Higgitt added: "Our team selection isn't made until later in the week but, fingers crossed, I can get some game time.

"I have a lot of good friends at Bristol and it's always good to play against your former club. It brings added spice to the occasion.

"This will be a good opportunity to represent the Scarlets."

Higgitt, who also played for Bristol Under-21s, was so determined to have a career at the Memorial Stadium that he played the first few months of his senior rugby career for nothing.

After forcing his way into the side Higgitt became one of the first names on Hill's team sheet in the following years.

But the centre says he is happy at his new club.

He added: "I have enjoyed it. Having been so long at Bristol, it has been good to go to the Scarlets."

Places are available on the Bristol Supporters Club coaches travelling to Stradey Park.

They leave at 3.30pm from Temple Meads and 4pm from the TA Centre in Horfield. To book, contact Mike West on 0117 9683964.