Stiff task for Oxford ahead of Boat Race defence

OXFORD will start final preparations for the defence of their Boat Race title with a warm-up race against a Leander eight packed with internationals this weekend.

VICTORIOUS: Oxford are looking to record their third successive Boat Race victory - and will warm up against a powerful Leander crew (Getty Images)

Rick Egington, Matt Langridge and Alex Partridge - who won Olympic silver in the British eight in Beijing - will be joined by international team-mates Tom Broadway, Tommy Burton, Tom Wilkinson, Nick Clark, Alex Gregory and cox Phelan Hill.

Cambridge, who are seeking to stop Oxford extending their winning advantage to three races, will take on a Czech international crew, including Olympic silver medallist sculler Ondrej Synek, on the Thames tideway next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent will make his debut as an official race umpire this weekend.

The former Oxford Blue takes charge of a contest between Isis and Leander 2 and will also umpire the race between Goldie and Queen's University Belfast five days later.

Pinsent had once said - following umpire Rupert Obholzer controversial decision to restart the 2001 race - that he would never take on a job charged with such political sensitivities.

All former Blues, umpires are chosen in alternate years by one camp from short-lists drawn up by the other.