MATTHEW Langridge will switch to a boat in which he has won two Olympic medals for next month’s European Championships.

The Northwich-born rower was confirmed as part of a strong men’s eight when the British team was announced on Wednesday.

Five other Olympic medallists, including double men’s four champions Andrew T Hodge and Pete Reed, join him in the line-up.

“We’ll race and then review the European combinations,” said Sir David Tanner, performance director for GB Rowing.

It means Langridge, 32, will not defend the men’s pair title he won with James Foad at last year’s edition.

The duo have also claimed a silver medal at the past two world championships behind crack Kiwi pair Eric Murray and Hamish Bond.

Instead he returns to the eight, a boat in which he won bronze at London 2012 and silver in Beijing four years earlier.

Scott Durant, Paul Bennett, Matt Gotrel, Tom Ransley, Will Satch and cox Phelan Hill complete the crew.

A 51-strong British team will start their campaign in Brandenburg on Friday, May 6.

The finals are scheduled for Sunday.