Ronnie O'Sullivan 'doesn't believe in' £15 item most snooker players love

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan says he "doesn't believe in" an innovation which has changed snooker in recent years. The Rocket, who exited the UK Championship in York at the first round stage this week, shared the contents of his cue case with Eurosport before the event.

Filmed on a train journey and posted by the broadcaster on their Instagram page, Ronnie shared an insight into the items he carries with him alongside his cue, which he's had since 2011.

They include a mini-butt extension, which Ronnie claims in the clip to have "never used in my life", finger tape to help protect his fingers from soreness, and blocks of chalk for the tip of his cue. In recent years, more and more players have switched to Taom chalk.

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The company's distinctive round blocks of chalk have become a familiar sight at tournaments, with players believing the Finnish brand's product helps reduce miscues and cut down on the amount of chalk residue left on the baize. But Ronnie is sticking with the more traditional cubes which will be familiar to amateur players up and down the land - and which cost a lot more than the £15+ a Taom block can set you back.

Explaining his choice in the video, Ronnie says he doesn't use the round chalk because "I don't believe in it." He adds "I believe that this (the cube chalk) is the king of all chalks, this you can buy a piece for maybe 20p, the other stuff £15 quid...I just don't like it, I believe that this is just still the best stuff."

Ronnie goes on to show his cue, "a nice bit of wood" which he says he's had since 2011 and hopes will last for the rest of his career. The case itself is signed by some of Ronnie's friends from Thailand.

He said: "Hopefully it will bring me a bit of luck." Unfortunately for Ronnie that wasn't the case, as he was edged out 6-4 by Barry Hawkins on the opening day of the UK Championship.

Stars including Judd Trump, Shaun Murphy and Mark Williams remain in the tournament, which concludes with a best-of-19 frames final on Sunday, December 1. Coverage is on BBC, Eurosport and Discovery+