By Richard Preen

World Ranking: 16
Date Of Birth: 29/08/69
Form: R32/R16/1R/R32/R32
World Championship best: Semi-finalist – 01,02

Joe Swail holds the rare accolade of becoming the first player to regain his top 16 status after dropping out of the top 32.

This was achieved after he stormed through to the semi-finals of the World Championships in 2000.

He equalled this achievement the following year before finally admitting defeat to the eventual champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.

His love affair with the Crucible could not be re-ignited last year as he lost out to qualifier Joe Perry 10-6.

After just holding onto his top 16 position last year Swail was keen to make things more comfortable this time round.

Unfortunately the best laid plans often go to waste and Swail has witnessed some poor results mustering just two ranking event wins all season.

His provisional ranking has tumbled 10 places to 26 and with the Scottish and World still to go Swail will need a change of direction if he is too claw something back.

Swail has previously captained the Northern Ireland snooker team in the 2001 Nations Cup and has reached nine semi-finals in all.

A popular player in all and nicknamed `The Outlaw' after his World Championship performances, Swail will be keen to gun down a few opponents to salvage a hard season.