The American twins who sued the founder of social networking site Facebook for stealing their idea have been named in Oxford's crew for the 156th University Boat Race against Cambridge on April 3.

Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss alleged Mark Zuckerberg, a fellow student at America's Harvard University, had based Facebook on their plans for a similar site called ConnectU.

In 2008, their legal action ended when they were offered a settlement worth a reported $65 million.

But the brothers are also world-class oarsmen, having finished sixth in the men's pairs at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Tyler Winklevoss said he understood why he and his brother's business exploits - the duo are both studying for an MBA at Oxford - would attract attention but insisted: "It's one part of who we are and it's also minor to the task at hand.

"At the end of the day we're students trying to row for the Blue Boat."

'Dark Blues' Oxford are bidding for a third straight win over the testing course on London's River Thames.

Cambridge, the Light Blues, currently lead a series that began in 1829 with 79 wins to Oxford's 75 and one dead heat, in 1877.