FORMER Bristol centre Rob Higgitt has joined Thornbury as player-coach for next season.

Higgitt, who has also played professional rugby for the Scarlets and Worcester, has been assistant coach at the South Gloucestershire club for the last two seasons, at the end of which Thornbury gained promotion to South West One West. The Welshman, 29, made his name as a student with Bristol, where he was immediately popular with supporters for playing professional rugby initially without a contract.

After 120 appearances and 22 tries, he moved on to play for the Scarlets, becoming the last man to score a try at their famous Stradey Park ground.

Last season he played for Worcester Warriors but missed much of that campaign through injury. Next season he will continue to work with Thornbury’s coaching team which includes head coach Gareth Llewellyn and former England prop Darren Crompton. Higgitt is likely to make his Thornbury debut in one of the pre-season matches against Whitehall on August 13 or Old Redcliffians on August 20.