GWENT’S Mark Williams faces an all-Welsh clash with old friend Matthew Stevens in the first round of the snooker World Championship at the Crucible.

It’s a tough draw for the Cwm potter, a two-time world champion, against two-time Crucible runner-up Stevens, from Carmarthen.

It will be a return to Sheffield for both players, who failed to qualify for the 2014 tournament, won by Mark Selby.

The match, which starts on Tuesday evening, is also a repeat of the 2000 final, which Williams won 18-16.

The duo are joined in the opening round of 32, which starts on Saturday, by Pontycymmer’s Ryan Day and Neath’s Jamie Jones.

Both have tough tasks as Day takes on Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen and Jones faces Australia’s Neil Robertson.

Defending champion Selby faces Kurt Maflin, who beat Steve Davis in qualifying, in the first round.

Selby, aged 31, won his first world title in 2014 after beating Ronnie O'Sullivan, who takes on debutant Craig Steadman.

Four-time winner John Higgins opens against Robert Milkins and England's Judd Trump faces debutant Stuart Carrington.

"Players in the past have struggled, first rounds are always difficult," said six-time champion Davis, who conducted the draw at the Hallamshire Golf Club.

"But Mark Selby is a very balanced player mentally, so I don't expect him to have problems."

Meanwhile, five-time World Championship winner O'Sullivan will fancy his chances against 32-year-old Englishman Steadman, another who will play at the Sheffield venue for the first time.

"The one tie that hits me is Ronnie against the debutant. A pressure match for both players. One with everything to lose, one with everything to gain," said World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn.

The Rocket has gone out in the first round three previous times, but has reached the final for the last three years. Second seed O'Sullivan could set up a repeat of last year's showpiece if both he and Selby progress.