Glasgow Warriors | Dan ready for competition for Scotland jersey
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March 21, 2007

Dan ready for competition for Scotland jersey

Posted by Assistant Editor on March 21, 2007 09:14 PM | 3 comments | Print | E-mail author

Dan ready for competition
Dan Parks believes that if he produces the goods in a Glasgow jersey, he can retain the number 10 shirt for the World Cup.

He started three of Scotland's Championship matches, all of which ended in defeat as they lost to England, Ireland and France.

Boss Frank Hadden has since dropped a major hint that Chris Paterson may be handed the 10 jersey for Scotland's next two Tests against Ireland and South Africa, revealing the Edinburgh man had improved dramatically over the course of the Six Nations.

Parksy admits he feels slightly aggrieved after playing key roles in early tries against both England and France, where he used his intelligence with the boot to unlock the opposition defence.

"Part and parcel of playing fly-half is that people always look to the 10 when their team isn't scoring tries, but against France at the weekend we scored three tries and in most games we've played recently that would have been easily enough to win the match," he said.

"The start of the game was fantastic because we did everything we planned to do and we did it well; and it was very pleasing to be part of that first try, when I set Nikki Walker up with a cross-kick which he managed to get on the end of."

Dan remains confident he can make the fly-half position his own ahead of the World Cup though, insisting he is not unduly worried about speculation concerning Paterson's switch of position.

"That's the first I've heard of it, and I don't really know what to make of it. It obviously adds a bit of competition for me at stand-off.

"Mind you, Frank has been looking at Chris as an option there throughout the Six Nations, so I suppose he was already competition before now.

"It is not a major concern for me because there are plenty of good stand-offs out there anyway, so I'm used to the competition.

"I felt I did OK with the chances I had during the Six Nations, but Chris was always going to be there as an option at 10, so now all I can do is put in some good performances for Glasgow, and hopefully that is enough to retain my place."

Posted by alan on March 21, 2007 11:23 PM | Reply to this comment

I have to agree with Parks ..he is "The Man" at 10. He has played as directed by FH and kicked better then CP from hand. His tackling has improved greatly and he is more inclined to put his body on the line than CP at 10 now. His performance in France for Scotland was fine.. tackled well and kicked well... There was absolutely no reason to move CP to 10 in the game unless Dan was injured. He has been MOTM for Glasgow at 10 several times.

Posted by Parksygal10 on March 22, 2007 09:13 AM | Reply to this comment

I think Dan should still be the number 10 because he is very tactical when it comes to line kicking. I do not think Mossy would be a good fly half as we all seen what happened in 2004, but then again, he may have improved but what I have seen him play as fly half later on in the 6 nations matches this year he is over talked up. If Mossy was to get a chace at fly half, start him there for Edinburgh so he can get used to playing at that jersey for his club first then progress to international level. But to me, I think Dan is a good fly half and it is a shame he gets the blame for everything. I hope he does Glasgow proud for the upcoming fixtures and shows to Hadden that he is not just "A Kicking 10"

Posted by Amanda on March 22, 2007 09:47 AM | Reply to this comment

I agree that Mossy should be playing at 10 for Edinburgh before they make a decision, its not fair to stick him in at 10 when Dan has been playing well there at both Glasgow and Scotland

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