TWO county pool stars have been handed the chance to test their talent against the best in the world.

Marc Evans and Andy Jones, both Welsh internationals, are competing for the first time at the World Eight-Ball Pool Championships, being held at Blackpool's Hilton Hotel this week.

Evans, 27, from Worcester, and 33-year-old Malvern-based Jones have to play one qualifying match, along with hundreds of others, tomorrow in a bid to reach Saturday's first round (last 64).

The pair were granted places at the prestigious tournament because of their involvement with the Welsh squad. Jones is also playing for Wales in the team competition.

They have both played at the European Championships but venturing on to the world stage is a step into the unknown.

Evans said: "For both of us this is the first time we have been selected for the worlds. I would like to get to the last 32 and then take it from there but I just want to do myself justice."