Bath fly-half Butch James could not have wished for a smoother comeback after 10 months out of the game than a 40-7 victory over Sale. Everything clicked for the Springbok as his side ran in four first-half tries before he was replaced. Chief beneficiary was right wing Michael Stephenson, who scored a hat-trick of tries as Bath romped into a 35-7 lead soon after half-time.

James said: "It's a lot easier for me when everyone wants to get their hands on the ball. I was happy with how it went, it all went very smoothly." He added: "Even if you are out for a long time you don't lose it. It's like riding a bike. I was quite keen for another 10 minutes but I was pretty tired."

Bath skills coach Brad Davis said: "Butch pulled the strings...it was probably the most fluent rugby we've seen all season. We varied our focus of attack, hit them wide and hit them narrow. They couldn't pinpoint where we were going to attack."

Davis acknowledged that James' presence had a remarkable affect on the players around him, adding: "Michael Stephenson took his three tries very well and I'd say it was his best game in Bath colours."

With Ruan Pienaar and Morne Steyn the only fly-halves who has been offered a contract this year by SARU, surely Butch James if he can hold it together might have a claim to another test cap? The Come Back Kid has done it before.