American Olympic veteran Michael Wherley will be the oldest oarsman in this year's University Boat Race when he makes his debut for Oxford.

Wherley, who rowed for the USA in the 2000 and 2004 Games, will occupy the No 5 seat in the 154th varsity clash on the Thames.

He celebrates his 36th birthday two weeks before the March 29 race.

The three Britons in the Dark Blue boat are all born and bred in Oxford.

President Nicholas Brodie was the most successful ever cox from Abingdon School, achieving a rare hat-trick of wins in the Schools Head, the National Schools and Henley.

Ben Smith was a star at St Edward's School before going on to GB Under 23 honours at Imperial College, and Oli Moore, from Burford, and a product of Radley, also won under 23 medals before gaining a GB senior vest last summer.

Cambridge's Canadian president Dan O'Shaughnessy has been unable to win a place in the Light Blue crew and was named in reserve boat Goldie.

Cambridge: Colin Scott (Trinity Hall), Tim Perkins (Jesus), Henry Pelly (St Edmund's), Tobias Garnett (Trinity), Peter Marsland (Clare Hall), Tom Ransley (Hughes Hall), Tom Edwards (Gonville and Caius), Shane O'Mara (Hughes Hall), cox Rebecca Dowbiggin (Emmanuel).

Oxford: Jan Herzog (St Catherine's), Toby Medaris (Kellogg), Ben Smith (Christ Church), Aaron Marcovy (St Edmund Hall), Michael Wherley (Oriel), Oliver Moore (Oriel), Charles Cole (Kellogg), William England (Christ Church), cox Nicholas Brodie (St Catherine's).