OF all the memories Jake Boer had invoked with his return to Gloucester in their hour of need, teaming up with one man in the back row last week will be one of the highlights.

Peter Buxton was so often the butt of Boer's practical jokes back in the day, so much so that the likes of Andy Hazell and James Forrester took on the mantle when the South African left Kingsholm.

But now he is back, there has been no let up, and that only stems from the close friendship the two giants of recent history have forged.

Ask Boer about playing with his old mate Bucko again, and a huge grin comes across his face.

"Things like that are good," he said. "It was one of those special little moments, back with the old boy."

But he still cannot resist poking fun at his old running buddy.

"I didn't think he would make it this far," he said. "I was impressed that he did get out there after his year off. It's good to have him back.

"Everyone knows he's a good player and an important part of the squad."

Boer is referring to the foot injury which has plagued Buxton since last December, when he hobbled off against Calvisano with what felt like a minor injury.

Since then he has managed only a handful of games, as the injury, a fractured foot, recurred and caused other complications, including bone bruising.

After the 12-9 victory over Leicester on Friday night, in which Boer and Buxton slotted back in alongside each other like they had never been away, the two shared a couple of beers to celebrate their successful reunification.

"Just one or two, nothing too serious." Boer said. "The game has changed a little bit from the old days.

"But if you get the opportunity to go out and have one or two you take it with open arms."

Buxton has been learning to be an electrician over the past few years, something Boer again cannot resist making fun of.

"He's trying but he's got so many dislocated fingers his claws don't really work," he said.

"He's a little bit dangerous around anything electrical.

"But that's the rumour, that's he's trying to become an electrician – we will have to wait and see."