Twickenham's John Collins insists it is all systems go for Rio after claiming a gold medal at the British Rowing Championships.

Collins joined the great and the good of British rowing at Nottingham’s Holme Pierrepont National Water Sports Centre this weekend for two days of action-packed sport.

And after sitting out Saturday’s action Collins announced himself with a bang 24 hours later as he helped a Leander Club A quadruple sculls boat win their semi-final in 6:06.68 minutes.

But the 26-year-old wasn’t done there, returning for the final and shaving more than six seconds off their time to claim victory in the showpiece.

And with the adventure in Nottingham signalling the first main event of a season that concludes with Rio 2016, Collins can’t help but let his mind wander.

“It means quite a lot to win the British Champs,” he said. “It’s not my first medal here but every time you come here, it’s still a big competition to win so I’m very happy."

“It’s always nice to come out on top in such a commanding way as well, it gives you confidence and I’m very happy moving forward."

“In order to make Rio happen, you have to put performances in along the way and I consider this to be one of those performances. You can always look back at this one and say that’s one I did well at."

“I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do to get my bum on the seat for Rio, that’s my main aim this season."

“Being in any seat for an Olympic seat for any Games is really special, I’ve been in a boat with Jonny Walton for the last two years now and to continue that would be great.”

Collins endured a busy summer as he competed for Great Britain in both the European and World Rowing Championships – finishing eighth in the double scull alongside Walton at both events.

The British Championships however allowed Collins to compete in Leander Club colours – something the former Orleans Park School pupil relished.

“It’s pretty special rowing for Leander and to see us doing so well,” he added. “It’s not just GB squad guys but guys who train there every day so it’s great to have that depth."

“Rowing at Leander, there are so many generations of very successful athletes, guys that have just started rowing to guys who have won multiple Olympics medals."

“It’s very special to have been at Leander because of that. I remember my first day there, sitting down in the crew room and Steve Williams, who is a double Olympic medallist, just wandered in, made a cup of tea and then wandered out. I was in awe, it was very special.”

As Leander Club launched their ‘Row to Rio’ campaign John Collins spoke of Leander’s place as the most successful rowing club in the world, with 111 Olympic medals won by its members.