Pool professional Ian Hubbard will help England defend the World Championships after being retained in the national squad.

Hubbard, who was born on Sheppey and learned his trade playing for the Flying Dutchman at Queenborough, secured his place in the squad after an impressive display at the European Championships in February.

The 33-year-old won 17 out of 21 frames as England cruised through the round robin stage in the B section before beating Belgium in the semi-finals and Wales in the final.

Hubbard's performance earned him his England blazer for the current campaign and is hoping to make a splash at the World Championships in the individual event as well.

He said: "Winning the team event at the worlds last year fulfilled one of my ambitions - especially after we lost in the final the year before - and we'll all be determined to defend it this year.

"But I'd also like to do a bit better in the individual event. I entered the last two years and didn't do particularly well but I'm in really good form at the moment.

"Obviously, I'd like to win the tournament but that's a tall order. I would be satisfied if I got the last 16 or the quarter-finals as that would represent a big improvement."

Hubbard has already had a busy season, defending his Medway Open title and raising his ranking on the pool tour to 13th.

And on April 17 he will represent Rochester at the National Inter League Finals in Rochester.