The Rugby Club caught up with Bath star Butch James who is raring to go after his knee injury.
Butch returns for Bath
The
Rugby Club caught up with Butch James who has returned from injury full of humour.
James has been out of action for 10 months after a knee injury, but made a very impressive return to action as he helped Bath to a 40-7 victory over Sale.
James is no stranger to rehab but is hoping that his latest sojourn on the sidelines is his last.
"I have done my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) five times," James told the
Rugby Club.
"Three on the left and two on the right so hopefully the right one won't get jealous and want to catch up - hopefully that is the last one.
"When I did it again and they said it was my ACL again I thought the doctor might say it was time to hang up my boots. But the doctor we went to see was very confident that I would be back playing. As soon as I heard that I knew I would be able to play again."
The injury meant that James missed the Lions tour to South Africa but he did manage to get back to South Africa for a bit of R & R - although he admits he may have done a bit too much relaxing.
"I spent the first month and a half or so at home," said the Springbok fly-half, "eating too much and drinking too much and getting really fat.
"But I came back and it was down to the grindstone and trying to get my leg strong again. I have spent a lot of time doing all my rehab. There was a lot of free time where myself and my fiancé were able to get away and see Europe.
"I think with all the free time I got a bit bored and didn't know what to do so I ended up asking her if she would marry me - hopefully she won't be watching this," laughed James.
When James was injured Bath were flying high - they had reached the Heineken Cup quarter finals and the Guinness premiership semi-finals. Now they have been knocked out of Europe and are languishing tenth in the league. However the Bath faithful are hoping that Butch will lead their team back up the table towards the Heineken Cup.
"Well that is what I am hoping - all of a sudden we start winning and everyone will think I am the hero and it will work out perfectly," said a deadpan James.
"Seriously though, it is going to be tough. There is not a big points difference between us and sixth place where we have to at least finish so it is not an impossible task to do.
"The guys know that and I think the last few games they have been playing really well and the confidence is up and we believe we can get there."
The James and Watson show
Arguably the signing of the season for Bath has been Luke Watson, a man who sharply divides opinion back in South Africa.
Notorious for his derogatory remarks on the Springbok jersey and being criticised by Springbok captain John Smit for dividing the squad, Watson has made a huge positive impact at Bath and his relationship with James is as relaxed as ever.
Having played together at Natal Sharks where James took a young but gifted Watson under his wing, the pair went onto share a house in Durban and it is not long before the banter between the two starts.
