Having arrived with the Blues last weekend Scotland outside half Dan Parks feels Cardiff Blues have the strength in their squad to challenge for this years Magners League title.
Having arrived with the Blues last weekend Scotland outside half Dan Parks feels Cardiff Blues have the strength in their squad to challenge for this years Magners League title.
Speaking after another grueling conditioning session Parks said,
"I only arrived on Saturday afternoon but I'm settling in well. I came down with my girlfriend and a friend, with a van load of stuff, so everything is good."
"I met all the players on Monday morning and have started on the conditioning work."
"My body is feeling it a bit at the minute, as its early days in pre season for me, but I know I'll get the benefits over the course of the season."
"They are working us hard but I don't mind too much as I'm sure I'll reap the rewards later on."
Parks had an outstanding season with Scotland and picked up an impressive three man of the match awards in the 2010 Six Nations,
"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."
"I thought maybe we could have got one or two more wins. Then going out to Argentina and winning the test was great and also for the Scottish team."
Having joined Glasgow in 2003, Parks felt it was the right time for a change, and joining Cardiff Blues was too good an opportunity to turn down,
"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. So I'm really excited about the new challenge, getting onto the pitch and winning some games."
"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."
With Glasgow reaching the play offs last season Parks knows how important a top two finish is to secure a home draw at the end of May.
"Coming from a team like Glasgow we always tried to win our Heineken Cup matches, but we always thought we had a chance in the Magners League and over the last few years we were near the top of the league at Christmas."
"We just couldn't quite push on when we needed to and maybe that was down to the depth we had in the squad, when the internationals come round it's hard to field as stronger team as you would like."
"I think the Blues have a really good chance at challenging for the Magners League title this year."
"I think part of the problem last season was the Blues didn't start very well and were always playing catch up."
"However, they finished last season strongly so it would be good if we could start this one with the same form."
"I think the play off system worked well last season and we were pleased to be in them at Glasgow.
"However, it would have been good if we could have got another win or bonus point to give us a home semi final, which would have been great for Scottish rugby."
"In the end we had to go down to Swansea to face the Ospreys and I think they deserved to win."
"The experience has made me more determined to take that one step further with the Blues this season."
Dan Parks, Michael Paterson, Tom Brown, Tom Davies and Bryn Griffiths will all be at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday the 12th August from 7pm to 9pm for the Meet the New Players Evening. The evening will also feature Paul Tito, Leigh Halfpenny, Richie Rees, Martyn Williams, Justin Burnell and Gareth Baber for a special Amlin Challenge Cup question and answer session.