World triathlon champion Helen Jenkins is tipping world junior champion Kirsty McWilliam to defend her crown next month in the Gold Coast, Australia.

Aberdeen-born McWilliam, 19, captured world junior gold in Vancouver last year on the same day Jenkins, who finish the London leg of the World Championship Series in third last weekend, captured the senior title.

And Jenkins, who remains in with a chance of defending her crown in the Gold Coast, is convinced London 2012 hopeful McWilliam has what it takes to repeat her 2008 heroics Down Under.

“We’ve got so much depth in the British team. Every year for the past few years we’ve had a junior medallist and it just shows we’ve got the strength there,” said Jenkins.

“Kirsty had a fantastic year last year and she’ll keep improving as she does more races.

It’s great her doing well as it’ll keep pushing us on for the next few years and I’ve got every faith in her in Australia.”