The Team GB men’s 4x200m freestyle relay quartet sent a clear message to their rivals by booking lane four for tonight’s final at the Olympic Aquatics Centre.
The British team are reigining world champions in the event, and stormed to victory in their heat in 7:06.31.
While the likes of USA and Australia have strong swimmers to come into their teams for the final, the Brits will also be able to call upon world champion James Guy, who finished fourth in yesterday’s individual 200m freestyle.
With 20-year old Guy on the sidelines, it was another youngster, 19-year old Duncan Scott, who anchored the quartet home, having already qualified third fastest from the 100m freestyle heats with a British record 48.01.
Relative veteran Robbie Renwick, competing at his third Olympics in Rio, also swam in the relay heats, as well as Stephen Milne and Dan Wallace in an all-Scottish quartet.
And Renwick insisted the Brits would be involved come the business end of tonight’s final.
“It’s going to be a close race tonight and it’s just a case of what colour we’re going to get.
“These boys are the future of the team but we’ll all feel part of it, whoever is swimming tonight.”
Scott added: “I’m really happy with this morning’s swims. I’ve got to try and move on again tonight, one swim at a time.”
Scott wasn't the only individual qualifier from the heats, with Andrew Willis and Craig Benson also securing progress in the 200m breaststroke.
Willis clocked 2:08.92 to qualify third fastest while Benson was 15th overall in 2:11.19.
Siobhan-Marie O’Connor will also be in action tonight, having qualified fastest for the 200m individual medley final.