A RETURN is made to the full international circuit this weekend, with a squad of 40 athletes taking part in the Ghent International Regatta in Belgium - the first substantial Scottish presence in Europe for four years.

For more than a decade leading to the Commonwealth Championships in Canada in 1994, efforts were made to take Scottish teams to the continent. Many crews and individuals responded well and benefits included a record haul of Commonwealth medals - one silver and three bronzes.

Thereafter, the emphasis was on domestic matters. However, following good groundwork and with the next Commonwealth Championships just over a year away, the decision has been taken to ''blood'' the current generation.

The Ghent Regatta suits Scotland. It is tough but not as daunting as top-drawer events, such as Duisberg in Germany or the end-of-season Lucerne regatta in Switzerland. It is staged at the start of the season and therefore provides a strong baptism for newcomers and an early indication of how competitive Scotland's established combinations can be.

There are plans to take a further squad to the Holland Beker Regatta in Amsterdam at the end of next month, before the cream will go on to compete at Henley.

While various combinations will be tried out this weekend, junior sculler Kevin Watson of Stirling can use this event to add to his claim for British selection.

Meanwhile, the North East Regatta, hosted by a co-operative of all Aberdeen-based clubs, has attracted almost 100 entries, including two men's veteran coxed fours from the Alkmaar Rowing Club of Holland.