Dan Parks says chance of winning trophies is behind his departure from Glasgow

JUST days after re-establishing himself as Scotland's leading stand-off, Dan Parks has confirmed that he will leave Glasgow for Cardiff Blues this summer. The 31-year-old, who has been linked with the Welsh team for some time, said he was moving in search of trophies.

• "I'm not moving simply for a change, but to win trophies, and the Blues are capable of that" Dan Parks

"I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead with Cardiff Blues," Parks said. "They have a strong squad with a lot of class and international experience, and they have some fantastic facilities. I'm not moving club simply for a change, but to win trophies, and I feel the Blues are capable of that."

Parks became the first player to score over 1,000 career points in the Magners League when he guided Glasgow to a home victory over Edinburgh two days after Christmas. He was again the dominant figure in the return match at Murrayfield three days ago.

"His organisational skills and game understanding makes him a real general on the pitch and he has excellent communication skills," Blues director of rugby David Young said. "Dan's record as a goal-kicker speaks for itself, but his distribution skills are also well recognised as he gets his back lines moving. He will certainly further strengthen our options at outside-half next season and will bring the best out of our backs."

Parks' return to form represents a dilemma for Scotland coach Andy Robinson, who preferred Phil Godman of Edinburgh during the Autumn Tests. Godman was overshadowed by his Australian-born counterpart in the two inter-city matches, and to select him ahead of Parks for the RBS Six Nations Championship would be a major leap of faith by Robinson.

In the longer term, Parks' departure for the principality could work in the national coach's favour by ensuring Ruaridh Jackson of more game time in the Glasgow No10 jersey. Jackson is just back in action after four months out with a dislocated shoulder, and would almost certainly have been capped by now had it not been for that injury.

Weather permitting, Jackson should have the time to play himself into contention for Robinson's squad for Scotland's first Six Nations match of the year, at home to France on Sunday, 7 February. In normal circumstances, Parks would already have done enough to ensure he was part of that squad, but Robinson will have to assess Parks' chances of replicating his club form at international level before coming to a decision.