Satch and Sbihi named in GB's first World Rowing Cup squad of Olympiad

Olympic champions Moe Sbihi and Will Satch will join forces as part of a 43-strong squad set for the first World Rowing Cup of the season in Belgrade next month.

Sbihi and Satch, who won men's four and eight gold respectively in Rio last summer, will race in the four alongside fellow Olympians Mat Tarrant and Stewart Innes from May 5-7.

Joining them in the squad bound for Serbia will be fellow Rio competitors John Collins, Jonny Walton and Jack Beaumont, who will race in the quadruple scull with Tom Barras, while the single sculls berth is taken by Peter Lambert.

Tom Ransley, who was also a member of the triumphant men's eight in Rio, will compete in the same boat on his return from injury, while in the women's events, Olympic silver medallist Vicky Thornley races the single scull.

Karen Bennett, who also won Rio silver in the women's eight, is named in the women's pair alongside Holly Norton, and Kat Copeland and Charlotte Booth return to the water for the first international event of the Tokyo 2020 cycle in the lightweight double scull.

"The first World Cup of the season is a great place to test the water at the start of the new Olympiad," said Sir David Tanner, British Rowing performance director.

"While we know there is still work to do in all areas of the team, I'm excited about the significant new talent that will be on show in Belgrade.

"The event offers us the opportunity to stake our claim at the earliest opportunity in the new Olympic cycle, as well as a chance to review and experiment with the new crews at our disposal."

Sportsbeat 2017