CWM’S Mark Williams faces 2006 winner Graeme Dott in the first round of this year’s Betfred World Championship, which gets underway at the Crucible Theatre on Saturday.

Number 13 seed Williams, world champion in 2000 and 2003, is one of three Welshmen competing for the title in Sheffield.

Neath’s 15th seed Michael White starts his campaign against Englishman Sam Baird while Pontycymer qualifier Ryan Day takes on four-time winner John Higgins in round one.

Williams’ clash with Scottish potter Dott will be played over sessions on Sunday and Monday.

Meanwhile, reigning champion Stuart Bingham starts the defence of his crown against two-time finalist Ali Carter.

Five-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan plays David Gilbert, 2010 winner Neil Robertson takes on Michael Holt, and Mark Selby, who lifted the title in 2014, plays Robert Milkins.

First round draw in full;

Stuart Bingham v Ali Carter,

Stephen Maguire v Alan McManus,

Ricky Walden v Robbie Williams,

John Higgins v Ryan Day,

Judd Trump v Liang Wenbo,

Martin Gould v Ding Junhui,

Mark Williams v Graeme Dott,

Neil Robertson v Michael Holt,

Shaun Murphy v Anthony McGill,

Marco Fu v Peter Ebdon,

Barry Hawkins v Zhang Anda,

Ronnie O’Sullivan v David Gilbert,

Mark Allen v Mitchell Mann,

Joe Perry v Kyren Wilson,

Michael White v Sam Baird,

Mark Selby v Robert Milkins.