Two Old Monmothians, Laurence Harvey and Sam Troughton, have just been selected for the 159th BNY Mellon Boat Race squad – one for Oxford, the other for Cambridge.

First raced in 1829, the Boat Race is one of the oldest sporting events in the world. This is a fantastic achievement for Laurence and Sam, as well as for Monmouth School, which already has an international reputation for rowing, numbering Olympic medallists and coaches, including Robin Williams who coached the GB women's pair into the record books at London 2012, plus several GB oarsmen among its past and present pupils.

Rob Howe, their former rowing coach, Master of Rowing and Housemaster at Monmouth School, was delighted.

"Both Laurence and Sam were hugely influential characters in their respective boats and claimed medals for the School at the National Schools' Regatta, competed at Henley and represented Wales in the Home International Regatta," he said.

"We are immensely proud that they have reached this stage in the arduous selection process and wish them all the best in chasing a place for the Boat Race in March – where our loyalties will be split on the day."

Pictures courtesy of Getty Images.