If there was a game where London Irish's refreshing, attack-orientated style of play came together last season it was against Northampton Saints at Madejski Stadium on 26th February. The team scored four tries that afternoon, the second of which was selected for Sky Sports' 'Try of the Month' and was later a candidate for 'Try of the Season'. The scorer was David Paice who finished off a move that began deep in Irish's half of the pitch.
<2r>In scoring the try not only did David show a turn of pace (no pun intended!) that shattered the traditional image of the hooker once and for all, it also catapulted him into the attention of the media and the England selectors.
How does a young man who was born and raised in Australia come to be selected by England? David tells Paddy Lennon about the unexpected success of his rugby career to date.
David grew up in Queensland, the son of a Glasgow born father and Australian mother. His interest in rugby blossomed in high school. He was a back row player of some ability and was unlucky to miss out on selection for the Queensland Under 21 team. Ironically, it was that failure that provided him with his opportunity in the Northern Hemisphere.
If you're 19 years old, Australian and with family in the United Kingdom what do you do? You guessed right! Take a gap year, pack your bag and head north. That journey took David to his uncle's home in Newbury. His uncle's family are big London Irish fans.
David was invited to play with the London Irish Under 19s. There followed a move to Richmond and a job in town's famous Orange Tree pub. The U-19s worked and played hard and won the National Colts Cup. David was on the point of going home when Toby Booth - a friend of the pub landlord, intervened and he was offered a place in the club's Academy.
The invitation was accepted and there began three years of dramatic change in the young Queenslander's life. 'The Academy was a shock to the system,' says David, 'I was not used to the discipline and the first two years were tough!'
<1>The results in rugby terms were worth the pain. First there was a change of position from the back to the front row: 'I started as a prop as it was the only way to get a place in the team!' He flourished under Toby Booth's coaching and switched to hooker. 'By working hard on all the little things that make up your game, I steadily improved,' he says.
Among the skills a hooker has to develop for himself is the important art of throwing into the lineout. 'I've worked on my technique with Simon Hardy, the former England coach, and it's made a big difference. There is more consistency to my throwing and that's important as confidence is such a big part of it.'
That confidence played a role in last season's breakthrough into the first team. 'I enjoyed my rugby, especially when we were winning! We were given the freedom to play, so I like to try stuff,' says David.
The 'trying stuff' showed itself in a combination of skill and enthusiasm for the game that first brought the Barbarians selectors calling. They were followed by England and a difficult decision. A phone call back home clarified the Australian situation, 'they were not really interested,' says David so he accepted the invitation from Twickenham. A promising debut in the Churchill Cup in June has set him up for a future at international level.
'That depends on me getting opportunities at London Irish. I like being at the club and don't see myself moving, however I've got to compete for a regular place in the starting line-up with Danie and Robbie and that's my priority.' An operation on his hand has delayed David's return to action. The plaster and bandaging came off last week so watch out for the next exciting stage in this talented young man's rugby career.