London's Melanie Wilson is in the GB rowing squad

Olympic rowing: 1.Australia 2. USA 3. Great Britain 4. China 5. Poland 6. New Zealand

Londoner Melanie Wilson will take her place in an Olympic final after Great Britain battled back from a sluggish start to finish third in the women’s quadruple sculls repechages.

Wilson, along with teammates Debbie Flood, Frances Houghton and Beth Rodford, looked to be crashing out after their poor opening put them in sixth place as they passed the halfway point at Eton Dorney.

And with Australia and USA pulling away from the rest of the field, the British crew were left to battle for third and fourth, the final two qualifying positions.

They were given a huge slice of luck when a New Zealand mistake took them out of the running, but that should not overshadow their superb sprint finish.

Having already overtaken Poland, Great Britain pipped Olympic champions China to third in a mad dash for the line.

They may have done it the hard way but Wilson and her team’s fightback will fill them with confidence for the final.