Ireland had a very satisfactory first day in Aiguebelette in France. Three crews qualified for the quarter-finals, with the highlight being a pillar-to-post win for the lightweight women's double of Sinéad Jennings and Claire Lambe.

Competing together at only their second major event, they faced Britain's Kat Copeland and Charlotte Taylor, who set the world's best time in June. Jennings and Lambe held off a challenge by Britain in the closing stages.

Single sculler Sanita Puspure and the men's lightweight double of Gary and Paul O'Donovan took second places in their heats.

Puspure was second to Olympic champion Mirka Knapkova. The O’Donovan brothers edged out Hungary by.22 of a second to claim second in a head won impressively by France.

Denise Walsh finished fifth in her heat of the lightweight single sculls, and is set for a repechage.