Athletics: Radcliffe to lead Britain's cross-country assault

Paula Radcliffe, the two-time champion, will lead Great Britain's medal-chasing eight-kilometre team at the IAAF World Cross-Country Championships later this month.

It is six years since the British women stood on the podium, when Radcliffe nursed them to the bronze medals.

Joining her in Brussels on 20-21 March will be three of the side who won the European cross-country title for the first time last December. Kathy Butler and Hayley Yelling finished first and third in the Inter-Counties Cross Country. Liz Yelling missed the trial in Nottingham but Radcliffe's Bedford team-mate is one of Britain's most experienced cross-country runners.

Natalie Harvey, who represented Australia six times in the championships, makes her British debut after finishing second to Butler in the trial. The youngest member of the side will be the 24-year-old Louise Damen. Radcliffe, subject to a full recovery from a recent virus, has also been chosen to run the 4km race.

A silver medallist over the short distance three years ago, Radcliffe will link-up with the British 3,000m indoor record holder, Jo Pavey, and the Commonwealth 1500m bronze medallist, Helen Clitheroe. Three of the country's brightest prospects, the European Under-23 1500m silver medallist, Lisa Dobriskey, Kate Reed and Freya Murray - the British and Scottish 4km champions respectively - are also included.

There is a welcome return for the former European champion Jon Brown, who will be joined by the trial winner Glynn Tromans, in his eighth successive World Cross-Country.