RUGBY:SCOTLAND HEAD coach Andy Robinson has told his 30-man World Cup squad to now seize a place in his starting XV.
Robinson named his squad for the tournament in New Zealand, with Alastair Kellock selected as captain and Johnnie Beattie the most experienced of the seven omitted players.
Lions Chris Cusiter and Euan Murray proved their fitness to make the final party, while Chris Paterson is set to become the first Scot to play in four World Cups.
Scotland fly out to Australia next weekend for a further training camp before travelling on to Invercargill, where on September 10th Robinson’s men will meet Romania in their first Pool B contest, with further fixtures against Georgia, Argentina and England to follow.
Robinson said: “I’m really pleased with the squad we have – there’s really good competition for places. The guys are playing to get into the starting XV and that’s what we want.”
Glasgow number eight Beattie, who was among the most impressive performers in the 2010 Six Nations before a shoulder problem curtailed his progress, was the victim of intense competition in the back row.
BACKS:Joe Ansbro (London Irish), Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Danielli (Ulster), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Castres), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Lamont (Toulon), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Rory Lawson (Gloucester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh).
FORWARDS: John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Richie Gray, Dougie Hall (both Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Nathan Hines (Clermont Auvergne), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors, captain), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Richie Vernon (Sale Sharks).
