Ransley back in GB crew

Rowing

Olympic champion Tom Ransley has been included in Great Britain’s 43-strong squad for the first World Rowing Cup event of the season in Belgrade next month

The 31-year-old, who hails from Woodchurch and is a former pupil at King’s School in Canterbury, has recovered from a shoulder injury and will take his place in the men’s eight, having helped the team to win gold in Rio last year.

Ransley is one of the established names in the party with several emerging youngsters getting their chance to test themselves on the international stage for the first time.

He lines up alongside Tom Ford, Tim Clarke, Callum McBrierty, Cameron Buchan, Adam Neill, James Rudkin, Lance Tredell and cox Henry Fieldman. British Rowing performance director David Tanner said: “The first World Cup of the season is a great place to test the water at the start of the new Olympiad.

“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.

“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.”