13 current or former representatives of Oxford and Cambridge are taking part at The Great Britain Rowing Trials in Hazewinkel, Belgium starting tomorrow and finishing on Monday, whilst Thorsten Engelmann and Sebastian Schulte, from this year’s winning Blue Boat, have been competing at the German equivalent event.

Oxford’s world champions Peter Reed and Andy Hodge are tipped to take the men’s pair title in an event that also features former Dark Blues Colin Smith and Robin Bourne-Taylor. Paul Kelly, from this year’s Isis set-up, has recently withdrawn from the lightweight men’s single scull contest.

Cambridge, meanwhile, will field 2007 winners Kieran West and Tom James in a pair. The duo has had minimal time to recover from last week’s Race before competing in Belgium.

Former Blues Josh West and Tom Stallard will also be in action. West partners Hugo Lee of Oxford Brookes University whilst Stallard pairs with James Orme, formerly of Goldie. Colin Scott, also of Goldie, races with Tom Ransley of York RC. Charlie Palmer, who did so well in Belgium a year ago and previously of Goldie, will race in Leander Club colours tomorrow and Monday in the men’s single scull.

Conditions in Belgium are likely to be hot, sunny and relatively windless.