Dan became the first player in Magners League history to top 1,000 points last season as he steered his old club Glasgow Warriors into the Play-Offs. The Warriors were eventually beaten at the Liberty Stadium by Grand Final champions the Ospreys.
Now Dan has become an even bigger rival to the Ospreys by joining their arch-rivals the Blues in south Wales. And in the first interview of the new campaign from our Ambassadors, Dan outlines his hopes for another exciting season of Magners League action.
CARDIFF BLUES' AMBASSADOR - DAN PARKS
We've got to believe at the Blues that we can replace the Ospreys as Magners League Champions this season.
From what I've seen here so far we have got what it takes to match the achievements of our Welsh rivals by claiming first prize in the newly-expanded competition.
Moving to Wales after seven years in Glasgow was obviously a bit of a wrench, but it has been easy to settle-in at my new home. It was a great achievemnt for the Warriors to reach the Play-Offs last season, but I feel the Blues have a greater strength in depth and that will give me a better chance than ever of tasting Magners League glory.
I think the Blues have a really good chance at challenging for the league. At Glasgow we always tried to win our Heineken Cup matches, but we always thought we had a chance in the Magners League.
Over the last few years we were near the top but we just couldn't quite push on - maybe that was down to the depth we had in the squad. I made the decision to move to Cardiff based on the fact that I wanted a fresh challenge.
I'd been at Glasgow for a long time and it was hard to leave as I've made so many good friends up there and enjoyed playing there, but I wanted the chance of playing somewhere new and obviously the Blues are a great team to join.
I'm very fortunate to come into a team that is full of internationals and future talent. I'm really excited about the new challenge, getting onto the pitch and winning some games.
I was happy with my form for Glasgow and Scotland last season but it is obviously a team effort. I think it was a good year for me personally culminating in the Six Nations. where I felt we played quite well but without much success until the last game against Ireland. Then going out to Argentina and winning the Test series was great.
I'd like to think I can bring a few things to the team, but the Blues are already a quality team as they showed towards the end of last season when they hit their stride. The individuals flourished in the team and to finish with so many wins was very impressive so I'm really excited about being involved.
I'm settling in well. They are working us hard but I don't mind too much as I'm sure I'll reap the rewards later on.
I think part of the problem last season was the Blues didn't start very well and were always playing catch-up. They lost their opening three league games last season, yet won their final five, while at Glasgow, we won seven and drew one of our opening nine matches.
It would be good if we could start this season with the same form as the Blues showed at the end of the last one.
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