PRIZED asset Chris Holder is set to spearhead Poole Pirates’ bid for continental glory after being named in the club’s four-man European championship team.

The 2012 world champion and Wimborne Road favourite has agreed to don the skull and crossbones against last year’s Polish, Swedish and Danish league winners in Zielona Gora, Poland on August 31.

Holder, 26, chose to take a sabbatical from Elite League speedway this season but turned out for Pirates during captain Darcy Ward’s spell on the sidelines.

That stint, along with the Aussie ace’s long-standing association with Poole, seems set to give the Dorset outfit first call on his services, despite Holder’s Swedish club Pira-terna being one of the four competitors for the crown.

Poole promoter Matt Ford told the Daily Echo: “It’s a huge boost to our chances. I was always very hopeful because I knew Chris wanted to ride for us. He is a true Pirate and a great friend to the club.

“Chris lives in the UK and the fact he has represented us this year and can still do so helps our cause.”

Holder will be joined by fellow Turbo Twin Ward as well as Polish pair Shamek Pawlicki and Maciej Janowski, a combination Ford insists is capable of making an impact.

“We’re really pleased with our quartet,” added Ford.

“Chris and Darcy’s qualities are well known but I know how good Shamek and Maciej can be and the magnitude of such an event taking place in their homeland is not lost on them.

“We have won the domestic championship five times since 2003 but this would top the lot.

“Whether we can do it remains to be seen but we’re going with the intention of winning it.”