Laney fails to make Scots World Cup squad

Edinburgh's Brendan Laney is the glaring omission as Scotland coach Ian McGeechan today named his squad to travel to the upcoming…

Edinburgh's Brendan Laney is the glaring omission as Scotland coach Ian McGeechan today named his squad to travel to the upcoming World Cup in Australia.

Disappointing displays in the recent warm-up games are believed to have been the catalyst for Laney's downfall. Borders winger Nikki Walker, 21, has been drafted in place of Laney despite not featuring in the warm-up tests.

McGeechan said of the decision to include Walker to BBC Online: "Nikki was in contention for a wing berth with both Simon Webster and Rory Kerr. We have been monitoring his progress since he was involved with the Scotland squad last autumn.

"We wanted him to broaden his experience with the Scotland under-21 squad and, during the summer, he had a good under-21 World Cup. He's a powerful runner and his defence work is good."

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Laney has been tried at full-back and inside centre but recent performances have drawn criticism. On Saturday he was dropped for the defeat to Ireland at Muyrrayfield.

Furthermore, a dislocated thumb picked up as Edinburgh lost their Celtic League opener 11-3 to Connacht at the weekend didn't help Laney's chances of making the 30-strong squad.

Rory Kerr, Simon Webster, Andrew Dall, Iain Fullerton, Allan Jacobsen, Matt Proudfoot and Dougie Hall are the other players who were involved in the warm-ups but who have not made the final 30-strong squad announced today.

There had been speculation that Edinburgh forward Martin Leslie's injury problems and Borders stand-off Gregor Townsend's unconvincing recent displays would count against them, but both will make the trip.

The Scotland squad contains 18 players who will be making their first appearance at a World Cup finals. Two of the squad will be appearing at their third finals, Kenny Logan and captain Bryan Redpath both having featured in the 1995 and 1999 tournaments.

Backs:Graeme Beveridge, Mike Blair, Andy Craig, Simon Danielli, Andrew Henderson, Ben Hinshelwood, Kenny Logan, James McLaren, Glenn Metcalfe, Chris Paterson, Bryan Redpath, Gordon Ross, Gregor Townsend, Nikki Walker.

Forwards:Ross Beattie, Gordon Bulloch, Bruce Douglas, Stuart Grimes, Dougie Hall, Nathan Hines, Gavin Kerr, Martin Leslie, Gordon McIlwham, Andrew Mower, Scott Murray, Jon Petrie, Rob Russell, Tom Smith, Simon Taylor, Jason White.