The Welsh region have the chance to move into top spot in Pool 2 with a bonus-point win over the three-time European Cup winners, having been narrowly beaten 17-16 in the reverse fixture at Stade Felix Mayol in Round 2.

“I think we are in a tougher position to Toulon in that we have to win and we have to win the following week, so this is a massive game,” said the 32-year-old Welsh international.

“I’ve never had an easy game against Toulon. They are very physical and have a lot of good athletes, so I’m expecting probably our hardest game of the season here at the Parc y Scarlets.

“It was a bit of a missed opportunity out there, but it’s just the way things go sometimes. A couple of mistakes and obviously the red card. We stuck in it, but we just weren’t quite good enough to finish the job off.”

Shingler is hoping that the Welsh region can at least match their run to the Champions Cup semi-finals in 2018, when they beat Toulon 30-27 at Parc y Scarlets in the pool stages to secure a spot in the last eight.

“It was a great occasion with a big crowd and obviously we got the win," he added. “It was the same in the quarter-finals [against La Rochelle] and that’s all we want this year really.

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“It might be seen as the lesser competition, but the crowds still want to come down and see these big games.

“They have some massive names, so it’s going to be as tough as ever really.”

Scarlets head coach Brad Mooar is expecting a stern examination from the Pool 2 leaders.

“We are expecting one hell of a challenge against Toulon,” said the New Zealander. “They are a really famous club and have got a very strong side, so we are excited about getting on the park and ideally filling the stadium and giving Toulon a warm welcome to Llanelli and Scarlets.

“They are full of big-name players and our side is strong as well. The squad is in great nick with almost a full roster to pick from, which is exciting for us.

“We’ve got a couple of finals really and it’s pretty exciting. We played incredible rugby in Toulon with a man down and a lot of belief came out of that game for us.”

You can watch Scarlets v RC Toulon live on S4C, BT Sport and beIN SPORTS from 20:00 GMT on Saturday.

Scarlets flanker Aaron Shingler is anticipating his side’s hardest match of the season when RC Toulon visit Parc y Scarlets in the European Rugby Challenge Cup on Saturday night, describing it as “massive”.