Scotland coach Andy Robinson named four uncapped players on Tuesday in his provisional squad for this year's World Cup in New Zealand.

The quartet of Glasgow forwards Robert Harley, 20, and 25-year-old Ryan Grant, Edinburgh back-row forward David Denton, 21, and 23-year-old Bath full-back Jack Cuthbert are among as many as 19 players who could be involved in the World Cup for the first time.

Former England coach Robinson will have to drop 10 players from this squad when he names his final 30 following Scotland's internationals against Ireland and Italy in August.

"I'm pleased with the squad," former England back-row Robinson said.

"There's a good blend of the experienced, the battle-hardened and up and coming talent," added Robinson, whose Scotland side finished a disappointing fifth in this season's Six Nations, having beaten world champions South Africa at Murrayfield in November.

Scotland have never yet failed to reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup and Robinson said: "The task that lies ahead for these players now is to be at the very peak of their powers in order to do themselves, their families, friends and country proud in New Zealand in September and October.

"Scotland have always qualified from the pool stages to reach the quarter-finals at the six previous Rugby World Cup tournaments and that has to be our first target this autumn."

Scotland's pool features arch-rivals England, Argentina (third at the 2007 World Cup), Romania and Georgia.

They open their World Cup campaign against Romania in Invercargill on September 10.

Scotland provisional World Cup squad

Backs: Joe Ansbro (Northampton Saints/ENG); Mike Blair, Ben Cairns (both Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow), Jack Cuthbert (Bath/ENG), Simon Danielli (Ulster/IRL), Nick de Luca (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Rory Lamont (Toulon/FRA), Sean Lamont (Scarlets/WAL), Rory Lawson (Gloucester/ENG), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow), Dan Parks (Cardiff/WAL), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais/FRA), Nikki Walker (Ospreys/WAL)

Forwards: John Barclay, John Beattie (both Glasgow), Kelly Brown (Saracens/ENG), Geoff Cross, David Denton (both Edinburgh), Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester/ENG), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Ryan Grant, Richie Gray, Dougie Hall (all Glasgow), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester/ENG), Robert Harley (Glasgow), Nathan Hines (Leinster/IRL), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow), Scott Lawson (Gloucester/ENG), Moray Low (Glasgow), Euan Murray (Newcastle/ENG), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester/ENG), Fergus Thomson, Richie Vernon (both Glasgow)

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