Oxford men’s chief coach Sean Bowden is quietly confident his squad can nullify any home advantage when they face Cambridge in the 2021 Boat Race on the Great Ouse.

This year’s race will be staged in Ely, Cambridgeshire for the first time since 1944, taking place on Easter Sunday.

The annual contest was switched from the Thames because of the challenges posed by coronavirus restrictions and uncertainty over the safety of Hammersmith Bridge.

Cambridge may again be perceived as favourites, but women’s president Sophie Paine is determined there will be no complacency.

Paine told the PA news agency: “I don’t think having it in Ely detracts from the history and importance of the race, it is still going to be just as important.

“We are all geared up and ready to go.

“It is just a mental advantage (to race in Ely), the course is completely fair and straight.”