The action always comes thick and fast in the swimming pool and, on the opening night of Glasgow 2026, the medals did too.

Team England won four in total, including in each of the 4x100m freestyle relay finals, a feelgood bronze for Tom Dean and impressive third for Matthew Redfern.

Dean was in the showpiece race of the night, as he went head-to-head with friend and training partner Duncan Scott in the men’s 200m individual medley final.

Scotland’s home hero prevailed to win gold but Dean, who has suffered an injury-hit season, won Team England’s first medal of the night by underlining his pedigree with an impressive third.

His time of 1:57.22 was 0.84s off Scott’s winning time, while New Zealand’s Lewis Clareburt finished second to take silver.

“I feel really good – it’s incredibly special to step up and win a Commonwealth medal,” he said.

“This season has put me through injury and a change of programme – so there were times when I didn’t even think I’d be swimming at a Commonwealth Games, let alone winning a medal, so this medal wins a hell of a lot to me.

“I’m fortunate enough to have won Commonwealth and Olympic medals in the past, but the story behind this one, because of the adversity that this season has put me through, makes it extra special.

“No season has tested me like this, so to be able to step up on the podium and see the English flag getting raised nearly brought me to tears.”

Matthew Redfern then won a bronze medal on his Commonwealth Games debut by finishing third in the men’s 100m freestyle S13 final.

Redfern is competing in Birmingham alongside his sister Rebecca. Both swimmers have the same degenerative eye condition known as retinitis pigmentosa.

Matthew touched the wall in 56.86 seconds, behind South Africa’s Nathan Hendricks and Scotland’s Stephen Clegg.

“I’m really happy with that – I wanted to go out strong, hold on and then whatever I’ve got in the last 15m just throw at the wall,” he said.

“I left everything out there and I’m really happy with the outcome.

“I’m really excited – the pressure of seeing your name early on during the first day is a different kind of pressure – everyone is watching and they’re all there.

“To come away with a medal, means I am really happy.”

The best results were left until last, with both relay squads winning silver.

The women were first up. Australia were in a class of their own and eased to the title but strong swims from Freya Colbert, Eva Okaro, Leah Schlosshan and Freya Anderson put them comfortably clear of the rest of the field.

“I feel good and it’s a nice way to start – especially doing a relay with the girls,” Anderson said.

“To get off with a silver medal is really special and helps build momentum for the week.

“The crowd was really good – even before we got out there I was watching the other races and seeing Duncan [Scott] win was amazing.

“Even though it might not be a home Games for us as such, it’s nice to use it and pretend that it is.”

Then, the men followed suit in a similar race. Australia were once again comfortable winners but Jacob Mills, James Guy, Gabe Shephard and Jacob Whittle followed them for a sterling silver.

“It was a good one to start for me – I didn’t swim this morning so it was nice to get a first hit out and build from there for the week,” Mills said.

“The crowd was awesome – walking out was super loud and having the Scots there too was a nice experience.

“It’s good to get the first one under the belt.

“The girls won a silver before us which was nice, so it was a good start for Team England and now we’ll just let the week progress.”

Adam Ramsay-Peaty made serene progress through to the 100m breaststroke final, as he looks to come full circle in the pool where he made his name.

The four-time Commonwealth Games champion was a fresh-faced 19-year-old when he won his first major title at Glasgow 2014.

He will start Saturday’s final in a buoyant mood after winning both his heat and semi-final, and qualifying fastest overall.

“It’s all about the final for me – I’ve done this for a very long time and it does get harder and harder to keep racing,” he said.

“[A gold medal] wouldn’t define me to be honest – I’ve won everything there is to win, but if I can complete the sport and bring more fans to the sport and nurture this next generation of talent then that’s a great place to be.”