Loyal Parks can hold head high
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Am I alone in thinking the manner of Dan Parks' sudden retirement reflects badly on Scottish rugby and, most particularly, the national side's head coach Andy Robinson?
I am a Robinson fan, in so far as I like the way he goes about his rugby business, but the circumstances surrounding Parks' sudden departure following the opening-day Calcutta Cup defeat to England leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
The Australian-born, multi-capped Cardiff player has been a loyal and often exceptional servant to Scottish rugby, seldom getting the praise his performances deserved.
What must really irk is the fact that he wanted to call a halt in the aftermath of the World Cup, but stayed on to help his adopted country at out-half, an area where the Scots are short on experience.
To that end, the SRU and Robinson stand indicted over the manner in which his effectively forced retirement took place. Whatever else, this great servant to Scottish rugby can walk away with his head held high.
- Tony Ward
Irish Independent
