The club versus country dilemma comes to a head tomorrow, with the Metropolitan regatta at Blessington losing some key players to national trials at Inniscarra in Cork.

Gearoid Towey and Tony O'Connor, in pole position to represent Ireland as a lightweight pair at the World Cup regatta in Seville in two weeks' time, are entered at Metro tomorrow but will take on four other pairs in Cork.

Single sculler John Wholley will also be staking his claim in Cork to represent his country this year; Albert Maher continues to train in South Africa and will not travel to Seville.

The decision of the Sevillebound lightweight double scull of Neal and Owen Byrne not to compete at Blessington is also a blow, although it is understood that Neville Maxwell and Neil Casey will compete. Metro should also feature an interesting senior men's eight race, as Garda and Neptune take on form crew NUIG.