World Snooker Championship draw: Ronnie O’Sullivan to face Jackson Page in first round

Ronnie O’Sullivan will play Jackson Page in the first round of the World Championship as he bids for a record eighth title in the modern era.

O’Sullivan, 48, is also aiming to become the fourth player to win all three Triple Crown events in a season.

Defending champion Luca Brecel will play David Gilbert, while 2019 winner Judd Trump faces Hossein Vafaei.

The tournament begins on Saturday at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, with live coverage across the BBC.

Four-time winner Mark Selby plays Joe O’Connor, who came though qualifying and is the only debutant in the draw.

John Higgins – another four-time champion – will meet Jamie Jones, who defeated 2010 champion Neil Robertson in the final round of qualifying to book his place.

Mark Williams, who won the most recent of his three titles in 2018, arrives at the Crucible having recently claimed the prestigious Tour Championship, but will face a tough opener against Si Jiahui, who reached the semi-finals 12 months ago.

Mark Allen, who has won three tournaments this season, gets under way against Robbie Williams.

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

Mark Williams v Si Jiahui

Ding Junhui v Jack Lisowski

Gary Wilson v Stuart Bingham

Ronnie O’Sullivan v Jackson Page