"I got told before the game by one of the boys that Dylan had picked up an injury, but I didn't really take too much notice," said Paice. "This news is a great surprise for me. I've actually had to ask JJ [Jonathan Joseph] where we're going. I wasn't sure. I haven't spoken to anyone from England - just Brian [Smith]. I don't know if people are winding me up. I'll have to get one of the guys at Sunbury to open up the changing-room to get more boots out, then plug in the Sat-Nav to find my way."
Paice has been bumping around the elite squads without really breaking through following the two caps he picked up on the benighted tour to New Zealand in 2008. The only other fit hooker in the squad is uncapped Tom Youngs of Leicester, highly promising and well-regarded. However, there are concerns over his line-out throwing.
"After the New Zealand tour, I was a bit taken aback, then I had a couple of injuries and I just didn't take the steps forward that I should have done," said Paice.
"But just by getting a bit older as well, my game has come along in leaps and bounds in the last couple of seasons. My scrummaging has really improved as has my line-out throwing, so they're two of the major strengths in my game now. That's what it takes in international rugby. I know I'm a better player than I was in 2008. This time I'm going to take my chance."
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