Dan Parks warns England he is more than just a one-dimensional fly-half ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash.
Dan Parks has warned England that he is more than just a one-dimensional fly-half ahead of the Calcutta Cup clash at Murrayfield.
The Cardiff Blues No.10 will start Saturday's RBS Six Nations opener after Ruaridh Jackson was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Jackson was coach Andy Robinson's preferred choice at fly-half during the World Cup, with the Glasgow Warriors ace chosen specifically to get the backline on the front foot.
However Parks was the man-of-the-match after coming off the bench just four minutes into the 16-12 pool defeat to England in New Zealand - and the former Leeds and Glasgow star is determined to prove once again he has more in his armoury than just a kicking game.
"It is just one of those things that people think," Parks told
Sky Sports. "It doesn't bother me. How I play depends on the situation.
Perform
"I do like to run with the ball but if the conditions dictate than I will do what I think is best for the team. Ultimately it is about getting the win that counts."
Despite the defeat to England in the World Cup costing them a place in the knockout stages for the first time, Parks insists there will be no hangover from that loss.
"It is more a case of us wanting to perform as players," said Parks. "It is obviously nice to have the chance to try and put things right. We just didn't get enough points on the board early on and they probably deserved to win in the end.
"Hopefully we can get off to a good start on Saturday, though, and keep that momentum going."
England have extra reason to be wary of Parks at Murrayfield, with the 33-year-old having also landed all Scotland's points in the 15-15 draw two years ago while he also appeared in the home victories over the auld enemy in 2008 and 2006.
And Parks, who has been capped 66 times, admits there is something special about the encounter.
"On a personal level, playing against England at Murrayfield has been good for me," said Parks. "I always enjoy playing against England. I am proud to represent Scotland but it is a real pleasure to play in these Calcutta Cup games."
Impressed
Both sides will be going into the Six Nations with a new-look - although England's changes on and off the field have been significantly more substantial.
However Parks is pleased with the inclusion of Edinburgh's Dave Denton, with the young No.8 set to make his first start alongside club-mate Lee Jones.
Australian-born Parks, though, believes whoever pulls on the England No.10 jersey - likely to be Charlie Hodgson - might not be as impressed to be facing Denton.
"Dave has really impressed me at Edinburgh," said Parks. "He came on the scene at the end of last season and he has carried that momentum through.
"He's a really nice guy and I am pleased for him. It will be good to have him on the same side rather than having him going against me!"
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