This will be one of the most informative weekends in rowing this season: the Metropolitan (Metro) regatta at Blessington tomorrow vies with the World Cup meet in Munich for the attention of enthusiasts, and Carlow stage their regatta on Sunday.

The Commercial quadruple scull, coached by Mick Desmond, certainly does not believe in taking the easy route. Not only will they be paying their own way to Munich, but they have entered both heavyweight and lightweight events. Owen Byrne, who will be in the boat for the heavyweight event, will also take part in the single sculling - not bad for an 18-year-old.

Also travelling to Munich will be single scullers Albert Maher of Neptune and British-based Gearoid Towey and Ruth Doyle.

The participation of English visitors Imperial College/Queen's Tower should spice up both the men's and women's senior eights at the Metro, but the absence of the Commercial quad has led to the abandonment of the senior event in this discipline. The men's senior one eight event has also been hit by the unfortunate withdrawal of Neptune's Tony O'Connor, who has a rib injury. Neptune will most likely now have only one eight in a five-boat straight final, with the visitors also having to contend with Commercial, Queen's and Garda.

The men's double scull may turn out to be one of the contests of the day. Visitors Putney are pencilled in to take on some interesting Irish combinations: Neptune's Colm O'Rourke teams up with Commercial's Donal Hanrahan; Brendan Dolan with Derek Holland (both are Neptune) and Fran O'Toole (Commercial) with Lady Victoria's John Armstrong.

The women's senior one eight sees a composite from Trinity and Anna Liffey take on Neptune, a UCG/Galway composite and the Imperial College/Queen's Tower composite. But the race may be run close for interest by the contest at quad. The very strong crew of Vanessa Lawrenson (ex-UCD), Debbie Stack (ex-Trinity), Mary Hussey, and Susan O'Brien (exNeptune) are now all fully signed up with Commercial, but may find their keenest competition coming from their own club's other crew in the event - Maedbh Terry, Helen Dixon, Siobhan Foreman and Audrey Phelan. All are also scheduled to compete as individuals in the single sculls.

Carlow seem to be a rising force at junior level and their regatta on Sunday on the Barrow has drawn an entry of over 200 crews.