Magners form sees Parks return to Scotland fold

The Australian-born veteran earns a first call up under current head coach Andy Robinson as he looks to add to his 47 international caps when Scotland face France on February 6 and Wales a week later on February 13.

The 31-year-old has been in superb form this season and recently became the first player to reach 1,000 points in the history of the Magners League.

"Dan's playing well for Glasgow and he's got a spring in his step," said Robinson, who led Scotland to wins over Fiji and Australia and to a narrow defeat against Argentina in the autumn.

"Tactically, he's very smart and he understands how to accumulate points.

"He communicates well and he's able to get the team to function."

Parks is joined in the 30-man squad by uncapped Glasgow team-mates Richie Gray and Ruaridh Jackson, both of whom were members of last year's successful Scotland A set up.

"Richie Gray is a big man, very athletic and he's got a great head on those shoulders - he's intelligent," added Robinson.

"He gets himself into great positions and he's going to be a huge asset to Scotland over the years."

Magners League leaders Glasgow contribute 13 players in total, while Edinburgh provide a further seven.

Fellow Magners League outfits Leinster, Ulster and the Scarlets each have one player involved in the squad in Nathan Hines, Simon Danielli and Sean Lamont respectively, with six English-based players included alongside Hugo Southwell of Stade Francais.

Joint Scotland captain Mike Blair will not be fit in time for either of the two opening fixtures but the British & Irish Lions tourist has been invited to a four-day training camp in St Andrew's this coming Monday.

Also invited to the camp are Edinburgh's Ross Rennie and Jim Thompson, as well as uncapped Glasgow prop Jon Welsh.

Toulon full back Rory Lamont could be added to the squad if he successfully comes through a club game beforehand.

Scotland squad for the opening two games of the Six Nations

Forwards: John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie, Kelly Brown (all Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Richie Gray, Dougie Hall (both Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh), Nathan Hines (Leinster), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Northampton Saints), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester)

Backs: Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans, Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Alex Grove (Worcester), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors) and Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais)