David Paice

David James Paice (born 24 November 1983) is a former rugby union player. A hooker, he was a one-club man for London Irish and represented England eight times.

David Paice

Birth name	David James Paice
Date of birth	(1983-11-24) 24 November 1983 (age 40)
Place of birth	Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	103 kg (16 st 3 lb)^[1]
School	Brisbane State High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker Youth career   Souths RFC, Brisbane Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2003–2018 London Irish 288 (145) Correct as of 5 May 2018 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2006–2008 2008–2013 England Saxons England 9 8 (5) (0) Correct as of 15 June 2013

Career

Paice was born in Darwin and raised in Brisbane.^[2] In 2003 during a gap year, he joined the academy of London Irish and made his club debut that same year.^[2] Paice was a member of the side that were defeated by Gloucester in extra time of the 2006 European Challenge Cup final.^[3] He also started in their loss against Toulouse at the semi-final stage of the 2007–08 Heineken Cup.^[4] The following season saw Irish finish as runners up to Leicester Tigers in the 2009 Premiership final.^[5]

Paice started for the England Saxons side that defeated New Zealand Maori to win the 2007 Churchill Cup.^[6] On 1 February 2008 he started in a victory over Ireland A.^[7][8] Paice received his first call up to the senior England squad for their 2008 tour of New Zealand.^[9] On 14 June 2008 he made his debut in the opening test coming off the bench in a defeat at Eden Park.^[10]

In November 2012, after a four year absence, Paice returned to the England squad and played in all of their autumn internationals including a win over New Zealand.^[11][12] His last caps came on their 2013 tour of Argentina.^[13]

Following relegation in 2016 Paice led London Irish to promotion during the 2016–17 season.^[2] During that campaign he made his 250th appearance for the club and often captained the team on the field.^[14] In 2018 Paice retired after fifteen years at London Irish and returned to his native Australia.^[2]

Honours

England Saxons

• Churchill Cup: 2007^[6]

London Irish

• RFU Championship: 2016–17^[2]
• Premiership runner up: 2008–09^[5]
• EPCR Challenge Cup runner up: 2005–06^[3]

References

1. . web page. Premier Rugby. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
2. "David Paice: London Irish hooker to retire after 15 years' service to return to Australia". BBC Sport. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
3. "Gloucester 36-34 London Irish". BBC Sport. 21 May 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
4. "Heineken Cup semi-finals 2008". BBC Sport. 26 April 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
5. Palmer, Bryn (16 May 2009). "Leicester 10-9 London Irish". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
6. "England Saxons 17–13 NZ Maori". BBC Sport. 2 June 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
7. . RFU. 23 January 2008. Archived from the original on 2 April 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
8. "Varndell shines in Saxons victory". BBC Sport. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
9. "Borthwick to lead England in NZ". BBC Sport. 13 May 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
10. Standley, James (14 June 2008). "New Zealand 37-20 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
11. Cleary, Mick (29 October 2012). "London Irish hooker David Paice, with a little help from the Sat-Nav, has found his way back to England". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
12. Fordyce, Tom (1 December 2012). "England 38-21 New Zealand". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
13. Standley, James (15 June 2013). "Argentina 26-51 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
14. Williams, Adam (7 October 2016). "David Paice: London Irish and England hooker prepares for 250th club appearance". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2023.

External links

• London Irish profile
• England profile
• ESPN profile