Oxford president Sam McLennan has been ruled out of the 150th University Boat Race with a stress fracture in his back.

McLennan, 23, a member of the crew which won by the narrowest margin in Boat Race history last year, was the notable absentee when the crews were named yesterday.

"The stress fracture in my back has been causing me lots of problems," he said.

"When it came to the moment of selection we obviously had to pick the best and I missed out."

Acer Nethercott won the battle of the experienced coxes. He coxed the Dark Blues to victory as they lifted the Aberdeen Asset Management Trophy last year and was chosen ahead of the 2002 winning cox Peter Hackworth.

Cambridge include Wayne Pommen who missed last year's race after fracturing his wrist in a training collision the day before the event.

Oxford have four returning Blues - twice winner Basil Dixon, Henry Morris, cox Nethercott and David Livingston, one of two pairs of brothers who made history last year by competing in opposing crews.

Cambridge's returning Blues include Sebastian Mayer from the 2002 race, Hugo Mallinson and Kris Coventry.

BOAT RACE CREWS

Oxford: B Dixon, C Kennelly, D Livingston, H Morris, A Nethercott (cox), P Reed, J Scrogin, C Smith, A Stubbs.

Cambridge: S Buschbacher, K Coventry, N Kirk, C Le Neve Foster, H Mallinson, S Mayer, W Pommen, K Richardson (cox), A Shannon.