Serious consideration is being given to a possible three-pronged sculling campaign at the forthcoming world championships with the final go-ahead for a late double scull entry expected to rest, in part, on Irish performances in Nottingham and Milan this weekend.

The double scull option has been seized upon by the competitive committee of the Rowing Union in a last bid to keep two of the top lightweight single scullers - Niall O'Toole and Gearoid Towey - in the Irish team for Aiguebelette, France at the end of an inconclusive series of World Cup races.

O'Toole's early-round retirement two weeks ago appears to have finally forced the selectors' hand.

Towey has been confirmed in the Worlds team and he begins the defence of his Nation's Cup title today aware of its significance.

The Fermoy sculler's main obstacle in Milan, the Czech Olympian Bubrouack, has already beaten him twice this year and Towey has pinned his hopes on a new boat and a week spent with New Zealand heavyweights to buck the trend.

Last year's under-23 silver medalist pair, Vanessa Lawrenson and Debbie Stack made their full international debuts this season and a medal performance in Milan may yet convince selectors that they are still on course to make the world championship finals.

A similar target has been set for the Trinity/Tribesman coxless four which reunites the core of the finalist crew from the 1994 Munich Junior Worlds. William Gilbert, Ray Carroll and Kevin Boyle are joined by Micheal O'Connell in a combination that has barely had two weeks to prepare.

Ray Boyle explained last night that the Irish crew has adopted a longer-term view. Both Tribesmen oarsmen already are committed to moving over to Dublin in September.