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.
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth name | David James Paice | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 24 November 1983 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career
editPaice 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
editEngland Saxons
London Irish
- RFU Championship: 2016–17[2]
- Premiership runner up: 2008–09[5]
- EPCR Challenge Cup runner up: 2005–06[3]
References
edit- ^ "Aviva Premiership Rugby - London Irish". web page. Premier Rugby. Archived from the original on 6 February 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "David Paice: London Irish hooker to retire after 15 years' service to return to Australia". BBC Sport. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Gloucester 36-34 London Irish". BBC Sport. 21 May 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ "Heineken Cup semi-finals 2008". BBC Sport. 26 April 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ a b Palmer, Bryn (16 May 2009). "Leicester 10-9 London Irish". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
- ^ a b "England Saxons 17–13 NZ Maori". BBC Sport. 2 June 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
- ^ "England Saxons squad for Ireland A match". RFU. 23 January 2008. Archived from the original on 2 April 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
- ^ "Varndell shines in Saxons victory". BBC Sport. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
- ^ "Borthwick to lead England in NZ". BBC Sport. 13 May 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ Standley, James (14 June 2008). "New Zealand 37-20 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Fordyce, Tom (1 December 2012). "England 38-21 New Zealand". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ Standley, James (15 June 2013). "Argentina 26-51 England". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ Williams, Adam (7 October 2016). "David Paice: London Irish and England hooker prepares for 250th club appearance". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2023.