The Garda eight, who take on Marlow in the first round of the Thames Cup tomorrow (10.30 a.m.), will be the first crew of a strong Irish contingent to compete at this year's Henley Royal Regatta. Methodist College's eight race in the Princess Elizabeth at 5.40 p.m..

In all, there are 12 Irish crews taking part in 10 events at the regatta. In the Stewards Cup semi-finals on Saturday, the lightweight four of Tony O'Connor, Gearoid Towey, Neal Byrne and Neville Maxwell (competing as TARA) will meet the Australian heavyweight four, while Leander face the Trident lightweight four from South Africa.

Among a number of other Irish crews, the TARA lightweight eight, who meet Brown University from the US in the Ladies Plate on Friday, will carry strong hopes. UCC's Serryth Colbert may also fancy his chances in the Diamond Sculls; with the world's best single scullers opting to compete at Amsterdam, his prospects of getting a good run have increased.