In today's Scotsman, David Ferguson considers the importance of a good performance from Warriors stand off, Dan Parks. If the derby matches have given Frank Hadden, the Scotland coach, some insight into the relative strengths of the players to take him into his first RBS Six Nations Championship, then Parks should be feeling a new level of confidence going forward. He emerged as the most astute and on-form player and were he to receive some good ball from his pack today he could be the pivotal force which gives Glasgow a chance against one of the best sides in the Celtic League.
His opponent David Humphreys, who needs just seven points to eclipse Gavin Henson's Celtic League record total of 503, should also provide him with some heart that players can come onto a game later in life. At 34 he remains Ulster's driving force and the province's chief executive, Michael Reid, was yesterday forced to issue a denial that South African Super 14 side the Stormers were on the verge of signing him. He insisted Humphreys was on contract until June and that the province want to extend his stay into his 36th year.
Parks is just 27 but has, like Humphreys, shown himself capable of steering a side into the right areas of the field to become dangerous. If the Glasgow forwards perform as well as they can, and learn from their Netherdale beating and attack the Ulster pack, Parks could virtually nail the Scotland No10 jersey this weekend.