Dan Parks: recalled to Scotland duty after an unwanted absence.
Dan Parks has earned a recall to the Scotland squad for the Six Nations opening fixtures against France and Wales. The Glasgow fly-half, who has agreed to move to Cardiff Blues later this year, reclaims his spot after being omitted from the autumn internationals.
His Glasgow team-mates Ruaridh Jackson and Richie Gray, who are both uncapped, have also been chosen by head coach Andy Robinson for the double header, which begins with the game against the French at Murrayfield on February 7.
Ben Cairns is the most glaring omission from four left out from the squad that defeated Australia and Fiji but lost out to Argentina. Nikki Walker, Geoff Cross and Scott MacLeod also missed out on selection.
There are recalls for Euan Murray, Alasdair Dickinson and Jim Hamilton, who all missed the autumn series through injury. Richie Vernon, Allister Hogg and Jason White have all missed out owing to their respective injuries.
Co-captain Mike Blair isn’t in the 30-man squad, but is one of four players invited to a training camp at St Andrews on January 25. The others are Jim Thompson, the uncapped grandson of the late Bill McLaren, Ross Rennie and Jon Welsh.
Full-back Rory Lamont has also been left out of the pool but may be a late call-up, should he come through a club match with Toulon in midweek unscathed.
Euan Murray, who announced in December he would no longer play rugby on a Sunday because of his faith, will miss the game against France as a result.
Glasgow trio Parks, Gray and Jackson impressed head coach Andy Robinson considerably and he was happy to add all three to his squad for Scotland’s latest tilt at winning the championship.
"Richie Gray has worked hard to win a place in the squad and has applied himself consistently when playing for Glasgow, and we were also pleased to see Ruaridh back in action there,” said Robinson.
"Dan has been playing well and it's an asset for us to have someone of his ability in the squad."
Scotland take on France in the Six Nations opener on Sunday February 7 before travelling to the Millenium Stadium to face Wales on Saturday February 13. A break for league duty follows before a trip to Rome to face Italy on Saturday February 27.
Scotland squad for RBS 6 Nations games against France and Wales:
Backs: Chris Cusiter (Glasgow), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow), Thom Evans (Glasgow), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Alex Grove (Worcester), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow), Dan Parks (Glasgow), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais).
Forwards: John Barclay (Glasgow), Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow), Kelly Brown (Glasgow), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow), Dougie Hall (Glasgow), Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh), Nathan Hines (Leinster), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester).
Invited to train with the squad at St Andrews (January 25-28): Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh), Jon Welsh (Glasgow).
