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Parks in a no-win situation (14)

• Andrew Cotter
• 7 Sep 07, 06:02 PM

Sportsmen, when being interviewed, fall into three categories.

Firstly there are those who simply have a normal conversation with you, listen to your questions and give an honest and usually entertaining answer. These are dream interviews and rare indeed.

There are also, unfortunately, those who are so wary of saying the wrong thing that they simply decide to let their brains diappear out the door, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔr Simpson style, and conduct the interview in a semi-catatonic state - bland, pointless utterances and a blank, vacant, deadness behind their soulless eyes. There are quite a few of them about.

But there is a third category - those whose facial expressions and body language betrays their true feelings, no matter how much they try and toe the party-line.

I give you Dan Parks.

His in the number 10 jersey against Portugal was the talk of the team announcement in St Etienne's Town Hall on Friday.

Leaving aside the rights and wrongs of that decision for a moment, he is a player who clearly feels that he is in a no-win situation.

Just when he thought that he had seen off the challenge of Phil Godman or Gordon Ross, he plays second fiddle to Paterson in the warm-up games against Ireland and South Africa.

Following which many people seemed to suggest that Paterson was the answer to Scotland's fly-half prayers and all was right with the world.

So when I put the question to Parks, asking him if he was frustrated to sit on the bench hearing all the praise for Paterson, it was obvious what he really feels, despite a diplomatic answer.

This selection does not mean that Parks is now the number one. The side is close to full strength but while Ross Ford is clearly still the number one hooker he'll sit on the bench cheering on Scott Lawson.

And besides, the possibility that Paterson doesn't play at fly-half in the bigger games throws up more dilemmas.

Can he really be considered a better winger than Sean Lamont or Simon Webster? Or a better full-back than Rory Lamont? If not, then he doesn't play and Scotland are without one of the best kickers in the business.

All are matters for debate, and it's a debate which is clearly irritating Frank Hadden.

β€œWe have nothing to say,” he said.

He added that he was β€œfed up with all the talking” before a game has been played.

Unfortunately that's what sports fans like to do. And with Scotland's selections there are plenty of things to talk about.

So let the talking continue.

Andrew Cotter is a ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Sport commentator specialising in rugby union and golf. He is covering Scotland at the World Cup for Radio 5live and you can see the station's full broadcast schedule here.

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