Wales name Warburton, 22, as World Cup captain

Wales named 22-year-old flanker Sam Warburton as their youngest World Cup captain in a 30-man squad announced yesterday. However there was no place for Martyn Williams, the flanker who won his 99th cap in the 28-13 win over Argentina in Cardiff on Saturday and has played in three previous Cups. “I’ve been told it’s a bit of pressure but I’m quite relaxed about it ... I won’t let it faze me,” Warburton told Sky Sports television. Warburton, who has skippered Wales at under-19 and under-20 level, was given the captaincy for the tournament in New Zealand by coach Warren Gatland after Llanelli hooker Matthew Rees was ruled out following neck surgery. Scarlets hooker Ken Owens is the only uncapped player in the squad while flyhalf Stephen Jones can look forward to his fourth World Cup and adding to his 100 appearances as Wales’s most capped player. Jones did not play against Argentina after suffering a calf injury ahead of the defeat by England at Twickenham earlier this month. Prop Gethin Jenkins was named in the squad despite not having played since January due to toe and calf injuries. Centre Gavin Henson, who had dreamed of playing at his first World Cup, was not included because of a wrist injury. Wales begin their campaign against champions South Africa on Sept. 11. Their other Pool D opponents are Fiji, Namibia and Samoa. Squad: Backs - Aled Brew, Lee Byrne, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, James Hook, Stephen Jones, Tavis Knoyle, George North, Mike Phillips, Rhys Priestland, Jamie Roberts, Lloyd Williams, Scott Williams, Shane Williams  Forwards - Sam Warburton, Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Lloyd Burns, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Toby Faletau, Paul James, Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Dan Lydiate, Craig Mitchell, Ken Owens, Andy Powell.

Beattie omitted from Scotland World Cup squad

London: Scotland omitted number eight Johnnie Beattie from the 30-man World Cup squad announced by head coach Andy Robinson yesterday. Glasgow Warriors forward Beattie has been out of form since returning from injury and Richie Vernon is likely to take his place in the back row alongside Kelly Brown and John Barclay. Winger Nikki Walker is also out after picking up a knee injury against Italy at the weekend. “I want to pay tribute to the dedicated and professional approach of all those in our provisional squad,” said Robinson in a statement. “Eight players 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.” The squad for the World Cup in New Zealand, with their first Pool B match against Romania kicking off in Invercargill on Sept. 10, will be captained by Beattie’s Glasgow team mate Alastair Kellock. Kellock, who missed out on selection in 2007, is one of 12 players making his first appearance at a World Cup but the squad also includes Chris Paterson who will be the first Scot to play in four World Cups. Lock Richie Gray, who turns 22 on Wednesday, is the youngest player in the squad. The other teams in Pool B are Argentina, England and Georgia. Squad: Forwards: John Barclay, Kelly Brown, Geoff Cross, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Richie Gray, Dougie Hall, Jim Hamilton, Nathan Hines, Allan Jacobsen, lastair Kellock (captain), Scott Lawson, Moray Low, Euan Murray, Ross Rennie, Alasdair Strokosch, Richie Vernon. Backs: Joe Ansbro, Mike Blair, Chris Cusiter, Simon Danielli, Nick De Luca, Max Evans, Ruaridh Jackson, Rory Lamont, Sean Lamont, Rory Lawson, Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks, Chris Paterson.

Suspended O’Connor to miss Tri-Nations decider

Sydney:  Wallabies back James O’Connor will miss Saturday’s Tri-Nations decider against New Zealand after being handed a one-week suspension for failing to attend a World Cup squad unveiling function, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said yesterday. “O’Connor did not attend the Wallabies Rugby World Cup squad photo at the team hotel on Thursday morning and was also absent from the official announcement of the 30-man squad at Sydney airport later the same morning,” the ARU said in a statement. The 21-year-old utility back has also been slapped with a suspended A$10,000 ($10,445) fine for his absence from both functions. “He will also be unavailable for selection in the Barbarians side to take on Canada at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast this Friday night,” the statement added. The decision was taken after receiving an explanation from the player. Australia and New Zealand are tied on nine points after three matches apiece ahead of Saturday’s encounter in Brisbane. South Africa have completed their fixtures and will finish bottom of the standings on five points.