HOSTS Somerset will face holders Birmingham in their group of the Premier League Pairs on Friday, July 9 (7.30).

HOSTS Somerset will face holders Birmingham in their group of the Premier League Pairs on Friday, July 9 (7.30).

And although the riders taking part have yet to be confirmed by the clubs there is every chance the Rebels will pin their hopes in Cory Gathercole and the vastly experienced Shane Parker at the showpiece event.

Somerset and Birmingham are joined by Newcastle, King’s Lynn and Redcar in Group 1 with Rye House, Edinburgh, Scunthorpe, Sheffield and Glasgow in Group 2.

British Speedway chairman Alex Harkess said: “When you look down the field this is a very attractive meeting and I’m certain the fans will be served with a treat.

“Birmingham are the holders and they have lots of experience in Jason Lyons and when the final selections are made it will be interesting to see if you can pick a winner with any confidence.”

GROUP 1: NEWCASTLE: Kenni Larsen, Rene Bach, Mark Lemon. KING’S LYNN: Kevin Doolan, Tomas Topinka, Kozza Smith. BIRMINGHAM: Jason Lyons, Richard Sweetman, Steve Johnston. SOMERSET: Cory Gathercole, Shane Parker, Sam Masters. REDCAR: Gary Havelock, Ben Wilson, Emiliano Sanchez.

GROUP 2: RYE HOUSE: Linus Sundstrom, Jordan Frampton, Stefan Ekberg. EDINBURGH: Ryan Fisher, Kevin Wolbert, Andrew Tully. SCUNTHORPE: Magnus Karlsson, David Howe, Carl Wilkinson. SHEFFIELD: Ricky Ashworth, Josh Auty, Richard Hall. GLASGOW: Travis McGowan, Josh Grajczonek, Lee Dicken.