English plotting to sink Aussie swimmers

MELBOURNE, Mar 13 (Reuters) After defeating Australia in the rugby World Cup and then winning the Ashes, England have now set their sights on beating the Aussies in swimming.

Australia have dominated Commonwealth Games swimming for decades and boast a powerful women's team that is expected to win the lion's share of gold medals at the Games in Melbourne.

But the absence of Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett has left the men's team looking vulnerable, raising the hopes of the England head coach Ian Turner.

''We do realise in the men with Thorpe and Hackett out it has given us chances there,'' Turner told a news conference today.

''We will seize the opportunity...we are doing all we can to capitalise on that.

''We have significant chances in the men, particularly if you take a look at it as Great Britain.'' Although England, Scotland and Wales compete separately at the Commonwealth Games, Turner said they were planning to gang up on the host-nation.

British swimmers won 32 medals at Manchester, including 10 gold, and Turner expected to beat that mark in Melbourne.

''If we can improve on that I will go back a very happy man.

If Great Britain got 10 golds we would go back very, very united,'' he said.

''We have good medal chances in every event a Brit is in.

That would be a dream but we do realise we are up against it.'' Turner conceded Australia had an imposing female team but said the weight of expectation could cause them problems.

''No nation never screws up. There will be cases where athletes do screw up and as an athlete you have to ensure you're there or there abouts,'' he said.

''Australia will put themselves under a lot of pressure with Melbourne crowd.'' REUTERS PDS PM1821