Jackson and Adlington are quickest in Rome

By Ryan Bangs, Sportsbeat, in Rome

OLYMPIC champion Rebecca Adlington and British team-mate Jo Jackson powered into tomorrow's 800m freestyle final as the fastest qualifiers.

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COMFORTABLE: Rebecca Adlington - the Olympic champion and world record holder - was quickest in this morning's 800m freestyle heats in Rome

Adlington - a double bronze medallist already at the World Swimming Championships - clocked 8.20.53 to win her heat.

And Jackson, who has a silver and bronze in her collection from Rome, touched home just fractions behind in 8.20.80, also winning her qualifier.

Romania's Camelia Potec, a bronze medallist in the 1500m freestyle earlier this week, was third fastest while Italy's Alessia Filipi advanced as fourth quickest to Saturday's nights final.

Both Adlington and Jackson were members of the British quartet that won 4x200m relay bronze last night and each admitted that it had taken its toll - despite their dominant morning swims.

"It took time getting into that, so to come away with that time is really pleasing," said Jackson.

"I didn't get back until gone 11 last night because I had to have a drug test among other things. I was pretty tired this morning but I've got a day and a half to rest now."

Three Scots were selected for Great Britain's 4x200m freestyle men's team as Robert Renwick, Andrew Hunter and double Commonwealth champion David Carry joined Welshman David Davies.

They advanced as fifth quickest in 7.06.11 - just under a tenth of a second outside the British record they set at last year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

Ross Davenport should be drafted into the team tonight and Carry is confident a second British relay medal of these championships is within their grasp.

However, they will need to find a new level to challenge a powerful USA quartet - who rested their star names in the heats - while Japan, Australia and Germany also looked strong.

"I am very happy with that, it is my first swim and it couldn't have gone any better really," said Carry.

"I really think we have got a great chance of a medal. We have all just got to go out there and rest up and make sure we don't leave anything in the tank.

"It is going to be incredibly tight - everyone performed solidly in the morning and hopefully we will be in a good lane in the final."