Parker wants to concentrate on his post-rugby career

Parker called it "the hardest decision of my life" but said he could no longer give Wales his full commitment.

The 28-year-old, part of the team that won the Grand Slam in 2005, added: "I want to concentrate on the career I will have when I stop playing."

Wales coach Mike Ruddock said he would have picked Parker for this year's Six Nations squad and was "incredibly disappointed" by his decision.

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Ruddock names his squad on Tuesday and said he had "made every effort" to change Parker's mind.

But he praised the player's "great service for both club and country in the seven years he has been (playing) in Wales".

Ospreys regional manager Derwyn Jones said the club supported Parker "wholeheartedly, adding: "We have always encouraged (Parker) to play rugby at the highest level and had taken great pleasure from his performances for Wales over past seasons."

Wales have a really good chance of doing something special again this year Sonny Parker

Parker said: "This is one of the biggest decisions a player will ever make, but it is just something I have to do.

"I've come to the stage in my career where I only have around three seasons left to play rugby and I want to concentrate on the career I will have when I stop playing whilst giving all I can to the Ospreys.

"I just don't feel I have my head in the right place at international level anymore and, it's a wrench, but the time is right for me to hang up my Wales boots.

"The most difficult thing is leaving the boys behind, some of the old Ponty boys for example have been like brothers to me.

"But I know that there are a lot of great players in the squad, especially in the centre with Hal (Luscombe), Matthew (Watkins) and (Ceri) Sweeney, all excellent players who can really gel together.

"The reason we did so well last year was that there is a real team ethic with forwards and backs interchanging, with all the skills a rugby player should have and the kind of open game that can really spark into life when you get the right combinations.

"And they have a really good chance of doing something special again this year and I want to wish the players and the Welsh team management the best of luck.

"It's been the hardest decision of my life, playing for your country is the pinnacle of any rugby player's career, but all I will do now is concentrate on playing for the Ospreys.

"I have some management courses I need to get under my belt, I've always said I will run my own restaurant one day and my girlfriend and I are staying in Wales for the foreseeable future."

Parker's last game for Wales was last November's 24-22 win over Australia at Cardiff