Hill, 32, of the London Rowing Club, has won world silver medals with the eight in each of the last two years but was due to be involved in a trial process this spring with two other contenders for his position – Douglas and Acer Nethercott.

Douglas, who has competed for Molesey Boat Club since returning to the sport in September 2010, launched an appeal after Hill regained his spot.

The Molesey man felt the decision had been made early without giving him the opportunity to stake his claim fully.

An official statement has been released, however, stating: "British Rowing confirms that a selection appeal, presented by cox Rowley Douglas, was heard earlier yesterday in Henley-on-Thames by its appeals panel and that the appeal was not upheld.

"Phelan Hill is therefore confirmed in the role of cox to the GB Rowing Team men's eight."

Hill will cox the eight in the first of three World Cup regattas in Belgrade, Serbia, this weekend.

Hill is one of five members of Putney-based London Rowing Club competing for Great Britain this weekend.

He will cox an eight containing three of Douglas's Molesey club mates, including veteran Greg Searle, who is on course to contest the Olympics at the age of 40, 20 years after he won gold, with his brother Jonny and cox Garry Herbert in the coxed pair at the Barcelona Games.

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