JACKSON Page has replaced Northern Ireland’s Joe Swail in next week’s Welsh Open, a year after hitting the headlines by reaching the third round of the same event.
Ebbw Vale amateur Page was 15 when he beat Jason Weston and John Astley in Cardiff 12 months ago, before bowing out to Judd Trump.
The teenage snooker ace faces England’s Sean Sullivan in the first round on Monday following Swail’s withdrawal for family reasons.
Meanwhile, Newbridge veteran Darren Morgan will play fellow wildcard Rhydian Richards in a pre-qualifier at the Motorpoint Arena, with the winner playing David Grace in round one.
In-form Cwm cueman Mark Williams starts his quest for a third title against Mark King and Cwmbran’s Jak Jones takes on China’s Mei Xiwen.
There is an all-Welsh clash between Newbridge potter Lee Walker and Daniel Wells, while Newport’s Ian Preece faces China’s Zhao Xintong.
Stuart Bingham beat Trump 9-8 in a thrilling 2017 final to win the fourth ranking title of his career.
He returns this year and takes his place in a field which includes Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, John Higgins and Trump.
The tournament runs from February 26 to March 4.
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