ROBINS promoter Alun Rossiter has raided one of his old clubs, Poole Pirates, and landed a double whammy.

He has swooped to snap up two youngsters - Sweden's David Ruud and Poland's Krzysztof Kasprzak - on loan from the Dorset club, who completed the Elite League treble last season.

They bring Rossiter's number of confirmed riders for Swindon's 2004 return to speedway's Elite League to six and leaves just the reserve spot alongside Olly Allen to fill.

Ruud, 23, averaged 5.35 for the Pirates last season. And under the 'doubling up' rules, he also rode for Arena Essex averaging a solid 8.19 which included a 13 point haul at Blunsdon against Swindon in late June.

Meanwhile, highly-rated Pole Kasprzak, 19 from Leszno, rode in 21 matches for Poole and averaged 4.70.

He will become the first Polish rider since Leonard Raba in 1978 to wear the Robins' race jacket.

Besides their efforts for Poole, both Ruud and Kasprzak had other reasons to celebrate in 2003.

Ruud was a member of the victorious Swedish side that dramatically lifted the Speedway World Cup in August, scoring five points in the final.

Kasprzak enjoyed individual glory, winning the final of the European Championship in late August. The field included riders such as Swindon's top man Charlie Gjedde, Dane Niels-Kristian Iversen and Magnus Zetterstrom.

Rossiter said: "We are building a team of riders who have the capabilities to improve their averages.

"This is no old pals' act just because Ruud and Kasprzak rode for Poole. You can never guarantee anything, but I think most people will feel that here are two young international riders well capable of improving on their previous scoring.

"Both David and Krzysztof have bags of potential and an added benefit is that they have already visited the away tracks.

"They also know what it's like to be part of a winning side, as they both played a role in Poole's brilliant treble success last season.

"David, of course, was a World Cup winner with Sweden, while Krzysztof won the Europen Championship, before unfortunately getting injured in a Polish League match. He is now fit and well, and I am expecting big things from him."

Rossiter added: "These riders would have been in Poole's plans, but, because of the way they built their side, they simply couldn't fit them in and this is a real bonus for the Robins.

"I consider myself fortunate to acquire the services of these two boys, as they are riders I would have certainly picked by choice."

Another added advantage is that both riders know Robins new No 1 Leigh Adams well, having ridden for Poole last season.

Kasprzak also rode alongside Adams for Leszno in the Polish Elite League last season, as well as appearing for Smederna in the Swedish Elite League.

Rossiter has confirmed that the Robins 2004 season will open with a challenge at Poole on Wednesday March 10, with the Pirates visiting Blunsdon for the return the following evening.