MALVERN pool star Andy Jones is heading for the European 8-Ball Championships tomorrow (Saturday) as captain of the Welsh men's first team.

The event is being held in Bordeaux, France from tomorrow (Saturday) until Saturday, February 25.

Andy, aged 34, has played in the championship for Wales twice before but is relishing his first trip as captain of the side.

He said: "It is a big honour to captain your country and I am looking forward to it."

He said although his side had lost the services of one of their better players, he thought the team would still do well and he was looking for a tournament final spot at least.

Present champions England are still very strong and they will be the team to beat.

Andy is also taking part again in the individual competition at the event and hopes to get through to the last eight.

Andy said: "I have a good first round draw and should go through but then will have to wait to see how it goes.

"It can depend on the draw but if I play well, I should be looking at reaching the quarter-finals at least."

Andy played in the opening event of the Strachan Inter-national Pool Tour earlier in the month but was defeated in the second round by Neil Davey.

Davey, however, knocked out second seed Gareth Potts in the next round to cause the upset of the tournament.

The next round of the UK tour is at Hinckley in April.