Some of the big names may have left for the continent to compete for World Cup places, but this is still a big weekend for domestic rowing, with the eagerly-awaited Metropolitan regatta tomorrow at Blessington, and Carlow's regatta on Sunday.

The top lightweight scullers will not be available for the Metro: the eight, who were disappointed with their showing in two double sculls and a quadruple scull at the World Cup regatta at Hazewinkel, head back to the Belgian venue over the weekend to train - and hopefully to settle on an Olympic-class double - and Sam Lynch is already in Sweden training.

Albert Maher, whose own performance as a heavyweight sculler at Hazewinkel was less disappointing, will now be clear favourite for the senior sculling title at Blessington.

Competition for the men's senior eight title will arguably be weakened by the absence of the national lightweight four, a key component of the all-conquering Neptune eight - who are also in Sweden. But it should be extremely interesting to see how the Neptune eight competes against the top domestic crews without the four. Trinity and Garda may well fancy this as their chance to take a sought-after scalp.

Carlow's popular regatta has drawn 180 crews and will give the host club a chance to test some of their successful junior rowers against opposition from around the country.