Carl Fearns' recent injury struck a nerve – in more ways than one.
When the big back-rower went down clutching his hamstring in the warm-up ahead of Bath Rugby's Aviva Premiership tussle with Newcastle Falcons in early February he was only expected to be out for a fortnight.
But a further observation by club medics identified a problem with a nerve in Fearns' back and he only made his matchday comeback last Friday, almost two months after the injury first arose.
Fearns said: "It was frustrating because it was one of those injuries that you couldn't quite put your finger on and say exactly what it was.
"I thought I'd ripped my hamstring but luckily I didn't, it was just a nerve giving me the feeling of me ripping it.
"In the end it was my back that was the issue, that's why it took so long. It was a case of building up strength in my back and then off the back of that it got better. It was a long process.
"It's a bit demoralising getting injured in the warm-up uncontested. It's annoying but it happens.
"I was pleased to be back last Friday. Not just the match but the whole week building up to it and getting back involved. In the rehab situation you are quite separated, so it was good to get back with the boys in that environment."
Fearns' return to fitness has come at a good time for Bath, with the news Francois Louw is set for a long spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
But the club host a strong back-row contingent in their ranks and 24-year-old Fearns does not expect to walk straight back into the starting XV.
He said: "I've got to work hard to get back in.
"Leroy Houston has been playing well. All the back-row have.
"All I can do is train as hard as I can in the week, put my hand up and hopefully be involved.
"I think we all complement each other well in the back row. Francois is really good over the ball and Matt Garvey is a good lineout option. Guy Mercer is in a similar mould to Flo and Leroy is more of a similar mould to me as a good ball carrier."
A full-strength Fearns is a big plus for Bath, especially with the back-row battle likely to be prominent when Bath welcome Brive to The Rec in the Amlin Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.
"They've got my old mate Sisa Koyamaibole, an old Sale player," said Fearns. "He's a big, big number eight and a big ball carrier.
"I am expecting a big pack and some direct running."
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