Danielli Duo Spares Scotland

Two late tries from Simon Danielli spared Scotland's blushes against Romania in their opening Rugby World Cup match.

Scotland, who had only lost twice to their opponents in 12 meetings, were 24-21 behind with just 12 minutes remaining having led 21-11.

Chris Paterson, who kicked 14 points, pulled his side level before Danielli finished off a great move.

Danielli went over again as Scotland gained a bonus point.

They were two outstanding scores, but Scotland's performance was marred by handling errors, nerves and an unconvincing pack.

Andy Robinson's men appeared to be cruising after Mike Blair and Joe Ansbro had moved them into a 15-3 lead after 20 minutes.

However, Romania's superior forward strength began to cause panic among the men in blue who conceded their first try when Mihaita Lazar touched down following a rolling maul.

It was 18-11 at the break and the teams exchanged penalties before number eight Daniel Carpo broke off a scrum to score and move The Oaks into a shock 24-21 lead.

However, Scotland rediscovered their verve of the first few minutes as Danielli rounded off two superb moves to give his side victory.

Coach Andy Robinson said Scotland had to grind out victories in the manner of one of the country's sporting heroes.

"I saw this as very much like Andy Murray playing his tennis matches, when he plays five sets," he said.

"You get put under that pressure in the second round, third round sometimes and it's how you come through it and then the focus is onto the next game.

"That's the key element for us - we mustn't play Romania when we play Georgia, we've got to play a new side.

"There are always challenges that are put up in front of us and it's how you deal with those challenges."

Scotland play Pool B opponents Georgia on Wednesday, before facing Argentina and then England.

Scotland: Paterson, Evans, Ansbro, S. Lamont, Danielli, Jackson, Blair, Jacobsen, Ford, Cross, Gray, Kellock, Brown, Barclay, Vernon.

Replacements: Parks for Jackson (52), Cusiter for Blair (61), Dickinson for Jacobsen (61), S. Lawson for Ford (68), Hines for Gray (52), Rennie for Barclay (62).

Romania: Dumitras, Ciuntu, Gal, Dimofte, Lemnaru, Dumbrava, Sirbu, Lazar, Tincu, Ion, Ursache, Petre, Macovei, Tonita, Carpo.

Replacements: Vlaicu for Dumitras (58), Surugiu for Dumbrava (51), Cazan for Sirbu (51), Zebega for Tincu (68), Florea for Ion (68), Popirlan for Petre (79), Burcea for Macovei (76).

Att: 20,000

Ref: Dave Pearson (RFU).

Beattie Out of Scotland RWC Squad

Scotland have omitted number eight Johnnie Beattie from the 30-man World Cup squad announced by head coach Andy Robinson.

Glasgow Warriors forward Beattie has been out of form since returning from injury and Richie Vernon takes his place in the back row alongside Kelly Brown and John Barclay.

Andy Robinson confirmed Alastair Kellock as captain of his 30-man squad for the World Cup in New Zealand.

Glasgow Warriors second row Kellock was Scotland captain during the 2011 Six 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.

As well as Beattie, David Denton and Robert Harley missed out. Edinburgh half-back Greig Laidlaw was also omitted 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 Rugby World Cup, 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 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 (captain, Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Richie Vernon (Sale Sharks)