Dan Parks looks ahead to his imminent move to the capital city region.
Dan Parks looks ahead to his imminent move to the capital city region.
This time last year Dan Parks was ready to concentrate on a big season for Glasgow Warriors as his international career seemed all but over. A year later he’s fresh from playing an instrumental part in Scotland’s first southern hemisphere series win, with the Scots beating Argentina twice, to move up to seventh in the world rankings.
Parks was overlooked by Scotland coach Frank Haddon and had not figured in his successor Andy Robinson’s plans either before he signed for the Blues. However he was the star performer in this year’s Six Nations and the change in his international circumstance has only increased his enthusiasm to do well at the Blues.
Parks became the first player to reach 1,000 points in the Magners League and is all set to make a move to Wales to join up with Amlin Challenge Cup Champions Cardiff Blues.
"I don't want to be going to a new place just to make up the numbers," Parks said.
"It's exciting and I want to go there and strengthen the Cardiff squad. Yes, when I first signed I wasn't sure what was going to happen with Scotland, and a lot has changed in the last six months, but I was excited about the change then and am more excited about it now."
Whilst Parks is keen for a new experience in Wales, others have been concerned about the move and how this will affect both the Scotland team and the Blues but Parks has dismissed the worries;
"Andy (Robinson) has not given me any indication that there is going to be an issue, and Cardiff Blues are happy.
"Sean (Lamont) and Nikki (Walker) don't have any issues with being released for Scotland so I'm confident I will be able to give my all for Cardiff Blues and Scotland.”
Dan Parks will join up with the Blues in early August at the same time as the players returning from Welsh international duty.