One of the most historic events in the British sporting calendar returns on Sunday as Oxford and Cambridge battle it out in the Boat Race.
Oxford University Boat Club and Cambridge University Boat club will go head-to-head with huge crowds expected to line the banks of the Thames in support for the event.
The rivalry resumes 194 years on from the first rowing showdown between the two universities in 1829.
In the 167 races to date, Cambridge hold a 85-81 advantage with one race (in 1877) finishing in a dead heat.
the 168th Men’s Boat Race will get under way at 18:00 (SA time) with Oxford looking to defend their title.
Oxford are the Boat Race defending champions
Last year, Oxford won the men’s race for the first time since 2017 after a period of Cambridge dominance.
The Boat Race will take place on the Thames in London once again after its return to the traditional venue in 2022.
The 2020 event was cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions, while the 2021 battle was held on the Great Ouse in Ely without spectators.
This year’s races will take place on the 4.2 mile Championship Course on the Thames, between Putney and Mortlake in south-west London.
Oxford won the all-important coin toss and elected to start on the Surry station side with Cambridge starting on the Middlesex side.
According to the bookmakers, Oxford are the overwhelming favourites to retain their title, on offer at 5/11, while Cambridge can be backed at 8/5.
A dead heat is available at an unlikely 100/1.
Men’s race crews
Oxford
James Forward; Alex Bebb; Freddy Orpin; Tom Sharrock; James Doran; Jean-Philippe Dufour; Tassilo von Mueller; Felix Drinkall; Anna O’Hanlon (cox)
Cambridge
Matt Edge; Brett Taylor; Noam Moulle; Seb Benzecry; Thomas Lynch; Nick Mayhew; Ollie Parish; Luca Ferraro; Jasper Parish (cox)
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