Mistakes have cost London Irish - David Paice
James Walker-Roberts • Published 15 Sep 2011 09:30
0 Comments
LONDON Irish's David Paice has called on the senior players at the club to cut out mistakes as Exiles look to end their winless start to the Premiership season.
Toby Booth's side enjoyed a lot of possession at Sale Sharks on Friday evening but eventually lost by a single point as they managed just two penalties in a barren second-half.
While commentators and coach alike have been quick to acknowledge the youth in the squad, Paice does not accept that the less experienced players are responsible for the back-to-back defeats.
"It's been a disappointing start to the season and it has been our mistakes that have cost us," he said.
"We've scored enough points to win matches but our errors have cost us. We have had a lot of new players coming in over the summer but it has been the more senior players who have been making mistakes and we need to improve on that.
"It's almost unheard of at London Irish to lose a lineout so that is something that we have been working on this week to make sure it doesn't happen again."
Paice, 27, is one of the longest serving players at the club, having joined the London Irish Academy in 2003.
The hooker also recently signed a new deal with Exiles that will see him stay until the end of the 2013/14 season and says it has been exciting to have so many new faces come in this summer.
"The guys who have come in have been great, it's been a little tricky getting everyone up to speed but all the players want to learn and listen," he commented.
"Alex Gray has been really good, Leo is a very good player who is good in the scrum and he could be a very good signing when he is at his best."
Paice scored one of Irish's two tries against Sale at the weekend and hopes his side can get their first win at Northampton Saints this Saturday (3pm ko).
"We've got a lot of experience in the side so we're not too worried but we have to prove ourselves. It will be good to get the monkey off our back if we can get the first win and hopefully we can do that this weekend," he said.
"Northampton are a strong side throughout their squad but it's a great place to go and a good opportunity for some of the younger players to make their mark on the side with the guys away at the World Cup."
Paice, who was born in Darwin, Australia, but has played international rugby for England, insisted he will be supporting Martin Johnson's men at the World Cup and has enjoyed seeing his Exiles' team-mates in action.
"It's been good to see a few of the guys playing and Delon [Armitage] did really well for England. I hope that he will get another crack at it," he commented.
"I know a lot of the England players so I'll be supporting them at the tournament and hopefully it will be a good tournament."
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 15 Sep 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
