SCOTT van Breda cannot wait to show the naysayers the current crop is not “the Worcester of old” – and reckons Bristol is the perfect place to prove it.

Warriors head to Ashton Gate on Sunday (1pm) on the back of three home defeats on the bounce to face a side that has enjoyed a renaissance recently, trumping Gloucester before sampling victory at Northampton last weekend.

But van Breda is bullish about shredding the form book against opposition known for liking expansive rugby.

“It is always an exciting game because everyone knows Bristol as a nice, open team that likes to throw around the ball,” said van Breda.

“They have an awesome pitch at Ashton Gate and it is a good opportunity for us to do something special after two really tight losses.

“I don’t think too many people are giving us a chance at the moment which presents a big opportunity for us.

“Most groups in that situation, backs against the wall, you want to come out fighting.

“Going to a place like Bristol where they have been flying and we have slipped off over the past couple of weeks, it is an opportunity to lay down a marker and show we don’t want to be the Worcester of old.

“We don’t want it to be ‘we tried hard, oh well done’, we want to get the win at Bristol, kick on and show we can get into the top six.”

Much of the talk turned to “soft moments” when assessing the tight nature of recent setbacks with van Breda arguing they need to be spotted sooner.

“It is almost a case of not quite realising in the moment that it is happening,” he explained.

“There could be an innocuous penalty in your own half and you think ‘that’s fine’, then they kick it, from the lineout there’s another penalty, with two good kicks they are five metres out.

“Every team in this competition, once they get in that zone, they are bound to get points eventually.

“You think about going for the extra breakdown, or just try something thinking it won’t make a difference but the kickers in this league are so good at putting you under pressure, gaining 60-70 metres up the pitch.

“It is a case of finding out when it is really on and when to sit and wait, let them kick the ball away in general play so we can attack again.”

Perry Humphreys returns, meaning van Breda will be among the replacements following a full 80 minutes in his first Premiership outing of the season last weekend.

“It is really competitive and I am grateful for any game time, I have been lucky to have the Cavs games and that has given me confidence and a bit of form,” he said.

“Hopefully I can make the most of any opportunities I get.”