PLYMOUTH diving stars Tonia Couch, Sarah Barrow and Tom Daley have been named in Great Britain’s team to compete at the opening two FINA/NVC Diving World Series events in Beijing and Dubai.

Olympic bronze medallist Daley will compete in the individual 10m platform event, where he will go head-to-head with Olympic Champion David Boudia (USA) and Olympic silver medallist Qiu Bo (CHN).

Barrow and Couch, who were ranked third overall last year, will compete in the platform synchro events.

Joining the city-born trio at the first two World Series events will be Leeds divers Jack Laugher, Chris Mears, Alicia Blagg and Rebecca Gallantree.

National performance director Alexei Evangulov said: “The FINA/NVC Diving World Series provides an important opportunity to see where our athletes are compared to the world’s best early in the season.

“This year is a vital year on our journey to the Olympic Games and this early season test will give us the chance to identify where we can improve ahead of the World Championships in Kazan.”

Daley, who last week won the British title in Plymouth, added: “I’m excited to get back to competing internationally. It’s been a busy close of season and I have got some good training in.

“Jane and I are building the foundations of the season and competing in Beijing and Dubai are really important steps ahead of returning to London for the British leg and the Worlds this summer.”

The British leg will take place on May 1-3, with the Beijing competing running between March 13-15 and Dubai on March 19-21.