Rowing: Britain bring strength in depth to Eton

Britain will field a strong team, led by the men's coxless four and the women's quadruple scullers, for the World Championships, which begin at Eton on Sunday.

The coxless four have reverted to the seating order in which they began the year - Steve Williams, Peter Reed, Alex Partridge and Andy Hodge. They have gone 21 races unbeaten, winning last year's world title and this year's World Cup.

The women's quad of Debbie Flood, Sarah Winckless, Frances Houghton and Katherine Grainger are also world champions and World Cup winners. Like the men's four, expectations of gold rest heavily on their shoulders. Challenges to the four will come from the Netherlands and possibly North America and Australia. The quad will be most wary of Germany and China.

Alan Campbell streaked into the world's top ranking scullers this year. His enthusiasm and focus on future Olympic glory could put the Northern Irishman among the medals this year.

A better prospect for gold is the lightweight Zac Purchase, who began this season late because of injury but won the gold medal at Lucerne regatta.