Ebbw Vale's Page to take on record-chasing Rocket Ronnie in Crucible opener

EBBW Vale’s Jackson Page will take on history-chasing Ronnie O’Sullivan in the first round of the World Snooker Championship.

The sport’s best take to the green baize at the Crucible from Saturday, with the winner crowned in Sheffield on Sunday, May 6.

Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan begins his quest for an unprecedented eighth title of the modern era against 22-year-old Page this weekend.

The Gwent potter made his Crucible debut in 2022 when he beat former runner-up Barry Hawkins 10-7 in round one before being knocked out by mentor and three-time winner Mark Williams.

Page has faced O'Sullivan twice, losing 6-3 in the 2017 UK Championship and 4-1 in the English Open last year.

Cwm’s Williams, fresh from winning the Tour Championship in stunning fashion against O’Sullivan, starts against Si Jiahui, who reached the semi-finals last year, while Cwmbran’s Jak Jones will face Zhang Anda.

Veteran Dominic Dale goes up against Kyren Wilson, Bridgend's Ryan Day take on Hawkins and Neath’s Jamie Jones faces John Higgins.

Reigning champion Luca Brecel, who beat Mark Selby in last year’s final, gets his defence under way against David Gilbert.

Last year’s runner-up Selby will take on Joe O’Connor in all-Leicester encounter, third seed Judd Trump will play Hossein Vafaei in an exciting first-round clash and fourth seed Mark Allen faces Robbie Williams.

Round one draw: Luca Brecel v David Gilbert, Robert Milkins v Pang Junxu, Ali Carter v Stephen Maguire, Shaun Murphy v Lyu Haotian, Mark Selby v Joe O'Connor, Kyren Wilson v Dominic Dale, John Higgins v Jamie Jones, Mark Allen v Robbie Williams, Judd Trump v Hossein Vafaei, Tom Ford v Ricky Walden, v Jak Jones, Mark Williams v Si Jiahui, Ding Junhui v Jack Lisowski, Gary Wilson v Stuart Bingham, Barry Hawkins v Ryan Day, Ronnie O'Sullivan v Jackson Page.