Saracens in Parks' firing line

With the encroaching gloaming turning team-mates into shadows, the surrounding streets of G14 resembling the River Spey in spate and cloying mud encroaching over-straining ankles, it was a merciful release for the players. A shower, massage, food, and the domestic armchair beckoned.

But then a strange thing happened. Around 20 of the Glasgow squad simply carried on with the training... no drills, no coaches, no onlookers to impress, the only motivation a basic desire to improve.

"They just did their own thing, and I have never seen that happen before," says the Glasgow stand-off Dan Parks, with something close to awe in his voice.

It is that kind of commitment and spontaneous camaraderie that Parks believes could cause a major upset against Saracens at Watford when the Scots face the Zurich Premiership side in round two of the Parker Pen Challenge Cup today.

There was certainly evidence of doughty teamwork in the Scotstoun dressing-rooms after they finally called it a day.

"I’ll be waiting outside in case you put words in his mouth," says the man who appears to be Parks’s self-appointed minder, the 16-stone Glasgow prop Euan Murray. He was joking, I think. I hope.

But Parks, a self-confident and assured Australian who suddenly finds himself on the fringe of Scotland selection thanks to a grandfather from Ayrshire and some diligent research by former Glasgow coach Kiwi Searancke and chief executive David Jordan, can speak for himself. On and off the field. He arrived from Sydney in September last year, and after one game on the bench has made the Glasgow stand-off spot his own, impressing with what Scotland coach Matt Williams describes as "his tactical kicking and ability to take the ball up into the line to pass. He really has been playing some great rugby".

It was Parks’s kicking combined with a snarling, committed performance from the rest of his team that almost won the Celtic League game against hot favourites Edinburgh a fortnight ago. For an hour, until Todd Blackadder rallied his pack to earn some possession and territory, there was only one side in it.

"I agree we have not learned to win yet," says Parks. "But we are almost there. This is a young squad with a great future and the Edinburgh game showed we have it in us."

It may be too soon to overturn Saracens - 15 internationals from various countries in the side at the last count and fresh from a resounding victory over Leeds - in their own lair, but Parks accepts that the team are on a learning curve. As is he.

"The whole experience here since I arrived has been awesome. Last week went great in training, and Wednesday’s session was the best I can remember. As for me, I want to cement my spot here at Glasgow and see how it goes."

Parks, apart from a flirtation with the scrum-half jersey back home in Sydney when Kangaroos’ half-back Ricky Stuart was his big hero, has played stand-off all his career. This in contrast to the man from whom many believe he could take the Scotland No.10 jersey, Chris Paterson. It would surprise no-one, particularly the coaches at Hughenden, if Parks does not earn Six Nations selection, with Paterson switching to full-back.

Like Ulster’s David Humphreys the previous week, Parks gave Edinburgh a lesson in tactical kicking, a facet of half-back play about which even Paterson would probably admit he has much to learn.

"Everyone sees a kicking stand-off as someone who puts points on the board with goals, but there’s a lot more to it," says Parks. "You need to keep the pack going forward. I am always very disappointed if we lose, but it’s just as bad if my kicking game is off. I work hard on that. I would like to improve my defence, too."

Parks will certainly have to look to his laurels in that department today to close down the Sarries’ mercurial former French international stand-off, Thomas Castaignede

"I am looking forward to that. Thomas is very quick on his feet and only needs a gap and he’s away. But you always want to test yourself against the best and I am no exception."

The archetypal Aussie sports fan - he had promised to set the alarm for 3am on Friday to catch the one-day cricket clash between Australia and India - arrived in Glasgow via West Harbour, Souths and Easts in Sydney with a spell on the other side of the compass at Leeds in 2001, where he found himself in the same side as his current Glasgow captain, Cammie Mather.

Born in Hornsby, New South Wales, 25 years ago, he had always been aware of his Scottish ancestry.

"After Leeds I wanted another try in Sydney, but I knew there were opportunities over here."

In between the two ties against Saracens - the return is at Hughenden on Friday night - Marilyn Parks will be arriving from Australia to trace the family’s Scottish roots.

First call is Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, where her father, Daniel Close, was born. Daniel Junior is hoping mum will arrive in time to celebrate a notable Scottish victory and Glasgow’s Aussie is quietly confident.

"If we get ahead at some stage hopefully we can wrap it up. It’s about confidence and composure. The whole squad is coming together, players are pushing each other in training and there are some good young guys coming through."

Anyone in particular?

"Well, guys like Euan Murray are improving all the time."

Honest, Euan, I didn’t put those words in his mouth.

SARACENS: Richard Haughton; Denis Cech, Paul Bailey, Ben Johnston, Darragh O’Mahony; Thomas Castaignede, Kyran Bracken; Steven Sparks, Raphael Ibanez, Cobus Visagie, Simon Raiwalui, Alex Codling, Ben Skirving, Taine Randell, Ben Russell. Replacements: Robbie Russell, Emiliano Bergamaschi, Ben Broster, Kris Chesney, Morgan Williams, Nicki Little, Ryan Peacey.

GLASGOW: Stuart Moffat; Gareth Maclure, Graeme Morrison, Andrew Henderson, Sean Lamont; Dan Parks, Graeme Beveridge; Euan Murray, Gordon Bulloch, Matt Proudfoot, Andy Hall, Nathan Ross, Cammie Mather (capt), Jon Petrie, Donnie Macfadyen. Replacements: Simon Gunn, Andrew Kelly, Rory McKay, Andrew Wilson, Sam Pinder, Calvin Howarth, Rory Kerr.