BACKS coach Sam Vesty said he was delighted to see fit-again flyer Bryce Heem back playing for Worcester Warriors with a “smile on his face”.

Heem made his first appearance in more than a month last Friday as Warriors claimed a bonus point from a 24-21 defeat to Sale Sharks.

And the 28-year-old showed no signs of the quad issue which has been troubling him as he wreaked “havoc” in the Anglo-Welsh Cup opener at Sixways.

“Bryce plays well when he has got a smile on his face and he looked like he was having some fun out there in the wide channels,” Vesty said.

“He is such a threat with ball in hand and it’s just good to see him back to the old Bryce, causing some defenders havoc.”

Heem, who has not featured in the Aviva Premiership since Worcester’s 24-19 loss at Gloucester in late September, also made a rare outing at full-back.

“He’s played in that position a little bit (in the past),” Vesty continued.

“It’s good to show a bit of versatility by playing in different positions as it helps you when you go back to playing in your main position.

“I am chuffed for him as he got a lot of the ball out there and did very well with it.”

Along with Heem, Vesty was pleased to see tight-head prop Nick Schonert come through unscathed on his return to action as Warriors look to get the duo in shape for their league clash against Northampton Saints at Sixways on Saturday, November 18.

The 26-year-old who has recovered from an ankle injury sustained in early September lasted 53 minutes before being replaced by Simon Kerrod.

“It’s great to have Nick back,” Vesty said.

“He did very well. We took him off, but he’s fine.

“I was chuffed that both Nick and Bryce got minutes under their belts because obviously our plan is to get our best team on the pitch when it comes to facing Northampton.”