Kellock to captain Scotland at World Cup

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson today confirmed a 30-man Rugby World Cup squad featuring few surprises and Alastair Kellock as captain.

Glasgow Warriors second row Kellock was Scotland skipper during the 2011 RBS 6 Nations and has been awarded the honour for the tournament in New Zealand.

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

Glasgow Warriors number eight Johnnie Beattie, who was among the most impressive performers in the 2010 Six Nations before a shoulder problem curtailed his progress, has been omitted.

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

Edinburgh half-back 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 full-back 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, full-back 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 EMC Tests, while prop Ryan Grant and centre Ben Cairns were also absent for the Ireland and Italy fixtures and also missed out.

Bath full-back Jack Cuthbert also failed to make the final selection.

Robinson is excited about Scotland's prospects in the World Cup.

He said: "What I've seen from the squad is a tremendous team spirit, a great courage for the way they've worked together and I'm delighted to be head coach of this squad.

"I know they're going to go and do Scotland proud. I have no doubt about that.

"I'd like to thank every single one of them for the work they've done so far.

"Well done guys. It's now about getting in the starting XV."

Kellock missed out on selection for the 2007 tournament, but will now lead his country in New Zealand.

Kellock said: "Today is not a time for looking back. It's about reflecting on the huge honour of being selected for the squad in the first instance, which is magnified by being asked to captain the squad.

"I intend to do my utmost to reward the coaches' faith in me and make the country proud of what we achieve in New Zealand."

Robinson paid tribute to the strength of his squad and those members who failed to make the cut.

Robinson added: "I want to pay tribute to the dedicated and professional approach of all those in our provisional squad.

"Eight players (including Walker) have been unfortunate to miss out from that squad but that is because of the talent we have been able to assemble in our final 30."

Scotland's 30-man squad for the IRB Rugby World Cup 2011:

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 (captain, Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Richie Vernon (Sale Sharks).

PA