Beattie left out by Scotland

Rugby:Scotland head coach Andy Robinson confirmed his 30-man World Cup squad today, with number eight Johnnie Beattie missing out on selection, while Alastair Kellock has been named captain.

Glasgow Warriors backrow Beattie was among the most impressive performers in the 2010 Six Nations before a shoulder problem curtailed his progress.

Beattie was the victim of intense competition in the backrow, with David Denton and Robert Harley also missing out.

Edinburgh halfback Greig Laidlaw missed out after scrum-halves Chris Cusiter and Mike Blair proved their fitness.

Chris Paterson, Scotland’s most-capped player and record scorer, has been included.

The Edinburgh fullback is set to become the first Scot to appear in four World Cups, having made his debut in the 1999 tournament.

Robinson named a 40-man squad on May 10 and lost hooker Fergus Thomson, fullback Hugo Southwell and wing Nikki Walker to injury.

Walker suffered a medial knee ligament injury in Saturday’s 23-12 win over Italy at Murrayfield, meaning Robinson had seven players to cut from the squad.

Harley did not play a minute of either of the Tests, while prop Ryan Grant and centre Ben Cairns were also absent for the Ireland and Italy fixtures and also missed out. Bath fullback Jack Cuthbert also failed to make the final selection.

Scotland’s Pool B campaign begins on September 10th against Romania in Invercargill, with further group games against Georgia, Argentina and England.

Scotland squad
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).