Parks calls time on Scotland
February 08, 2012 08:01:32 UK
Veteran Scotland fly-half Dan Parks has retired from international rugby with immediate effect, having started in the 13-6 defeat by England at Murrayfield last weekend.
The 33-year-old won 67 caps for his country, but has now opted to step aside to allow the likes of Ruaridh Jackson, Greig Laidlaw and Duncan Weir to try and impress on the international stage.
Although I'm sad to be finishing my international career, I have some fantastic memories of playing for Scotland.
Dan Parks
Parks admitted: "I was thinking about it (already), but the first game of the Six Nations was against England, the auld enemy, Jacko was injured and being able to play against England was huge for me as there was a sense of unfinished business.
"There are some really talented guys coming through - Jacko, Greig and Duncan - and although I'm sad to be finishing my international career, I have some fantastic memories of playing for Scotland and what that has meant to me."
Greig Laidlaw is expected to start in place of Parks against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday, as Scotland aim to improve on a record of eight defeats in the last nine meetings of the two nations.
Scotland's lone success during that run came in at Murrayfield in the 2007 Six Nations, when the visitors were beaten 21-9.
Wales are 1.14 to win next Sunday's game in their capital, with Scotland 6.00 to cause a major shock by securing a victory, with the hosts 3.75 to open the scoring with a try.
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