The 31-year-old Glasgow No.10 has not played for his country for almost 18 months after former coach Frank Hadden and then current incumbent Andy Robinson preferred Phil Godman.

Parks wasn’t even in the training squad for last year’s autumn internationals but after impressing for the Warriors in the Magners League, he has been given his RBS 6 Nations chance.

Godman has been dropped for the trip to Wales after Sunday’s 18-9 home defeat to France and Parks has been handed the fly-half jersey.

And Parks said: “I was delighted to get the news and I am looking forward to the challenge.

“After my last Test I did not think it would be another 18 months before I played my next one.

“I had been involved in 47 of the previous 53 matches so I just assumed I would be going into the Six Nations the following year.

“As it turned out former coach Frank Hadden had other ideas and he went with Phil Godman and Chris Cusiter and that was the way it was.

“I am just glad I have been given the chance again.

“Andy Robinson told me I would not be involved last autumn and to go away and get my game back on track.

“I think I have and my performances have been fairly consistent all the way through this season.”