The crews of Oxford and Cambridge will contest the 170th boat race on Sunday amid one of the most controversial build-ups in the event’s history. Before a stroke has even been taken, tensions between the rival universities have reached fever pitch, affecting the race schedule.

The women’s boat race will begin at 1.20pm, as planned, with the men’s race following at 2.20pm. However, plans to host a trial race on the Thames in the morning have now been scrapped. It follows an eligibility row over three selected Cambridge rowers.

The argument has centred around students Matt Heywood, Molly Foxell and Kate Cowley. Oxford cited the trio as ineligible as they are trainee teachers studying for the PGCE, a certificate rather than a degree.

Cambridge contested their complaints, and an independent panel was brought in to decide the matter. They ruled that all three rowers were ineligible despite PGCE students having previously participated in the races.

However, Siobhan Cassidy, chair of the Boat Race Company, insisted it was up to the respective teams to reassess regulations, saying: “The clubs agree the rules between themselves.

“Every year there’s a point where they can review those and look back on what’s going on and look ahead. So that’s just part of what will happen. That’ll be something to be happening after the race anyway.”

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Andrew Hodge, who competed for Oxford in 2005, suggested the row had gone too far. “It’s just a bit in entertainment and some people are taking this way too seriously,” he told The i.

“It’s like squabbling over a game of marbles in the school playground. That’s not to underplay the standard and approach to rowing; it’s tough, but ultimately they want to do it; no one is forcing them. Rules are rules, so just get on and play the game.”