THE importance of tomorrow's Dublin Head of the River as the final rehearsal before the main regatta season, has produced a strong entry headed by a Trinity Open Eight unchanged after its success in Galway last weekend.

Trinity's narrow win then by a margin of less than 3 seconds has prompted a "slight change in the race plan" from Neptune coach, Peter Buckley. "We think things are progressing nicely and there won't be any major changes between now and London next week" he said.

In another running contest, Junior crews from Portora and St Joseph's College, Galway are seeded fourth and fifth having produced faster times over the last year than many Senior Intermediate boats. Portora, will be looking to repeat their winning Erne form after losing to the Jes last weekend with a disappointing performance.

UCD's most likely source of success will be in the Women's Open Eights, an event they currently dominate. Thirty eight seconds separated UCD from a still developing Neptune crew at Galway and the strongest challenge tomorrow is likely to come from overseas. From the University of Wales, Cardiff, comes a Welsh League championship eight with crew members from a British University squad that took national title honours at Nottingham last Autumn.

In the Men's Novice Eights, UCD and Trinity will lead a large field and provide a guide to future prospects from the two clubs.