Fast -potting Jimmy Robertson intends to make the most of his step into the big time on his England junior debut against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.

Jimmy, nicknamed Little Ronnie after his hero Ronnie O'Sullivan, will use the Home Under-17s Internationals in Prestatyn, North Wales, to show he has the potential to emulate the world champion.

The 15-year-old, from Bexhill, said: "I admire Ronnie O'Sullivan but I'm determined to earn my own nickname, go on to be a professional and become world champion.

"I'm told that I am a fast potter like Rocket Ronnie and should slow down, but I find if I get into a rhythm it helps me.

"I'm flattered to be representing my country, you can't get a greater honour than that. It tops the lot.

"I'm fortunate that England have won the title for the past four years. I'm in a strong side.

"I'm also lucky because I don't get nervous, although my old man (Brian) thinks I do. I'm just confident and positive."

The Bexhill High pupil, who wants to go professional next year, gave up a budding football career at 12 to concentrate on snooker. He said: "I went to Crystal Place for trials as a midfield player. I did it for a couple of weeks but my football kept clashing with snooker so I gave it up.

"It's warmer in the snooker centres But I didn't want to risk getting injured and miss playing in tournaments.

"I know professional footballers earn a lot of money these days, but I hope to earn plenty of money as a snooker player.

"My school have been supportive. I'm serious about my snooker and want to make it."

Robertson's parents, Brian and Mandy, drive 30,000 miles a year taking him to tournaments, including the six-event World Snooker Association Open Tour in which the top eight get on to the professional circuit.

Dad Brian said: "He'd like to become a professional as soon as possible but may have to wait until he is 20 and 25 for the world title.

"There are plenty of snooker players in Sussex but the quality is lacking. I think Jimmy is not only talented but he keeps his cool when he is behind. If he loses, he adopts that attitude that there is always another competition next week.

"Hopefully he can do well on the Open Tour, although there is a second route into the professional ranks via the national under-18s championships in December. The finalists go through to a final qualifier.

"He's lucky to have sponsors (Q-Ball Club in Eastbourne and Classic Racing Bookmakers) to help him try to achieve all this."

Robertson's father bought him a table at eight. He won his first competition a year later before entering the Frank Sandell Under-18 Grand Prix at ten and making his first century break (104) 12 months later. He has more than 200 trophies and the same number of century breaks practising (38 competing).

His highest break in training is 147 and 130 in a match.

Robertson reached the last 16 of the English Senior Amateur Championships at 13 and the last eight of the national under-21s in May, finishing runner-up in the Sussex Under-21s Open a month earlier.

England team manger Malcolm Thorne, brother of former top professional Willie, said: "Jimmy has a very good temperament and has impressed us in senior tournaments. I saw him build two century breaks in the English Amateur.

"He's clearly one of the country's top juniors. I believe if you are good enough you are old enough and Jimmy is definitely good enough for England under-17s.

"Playing at that level for England is a good pointer because three who did three years ago (Mark Selby, Tom Ford and Luke Fisher) are now on the pro tour."

Mike Donovan mike.donovan @theargus.co.uk