IN BRIEF Rocket Ronnie can soar to new heights

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN is aiming to reach the pinnacle of his sport with UK Championship glory tonight.

The Rocket is vying for a record seventh UK title and the chance to stand alone on 19 Triple Crown wins – one ahead of Scotland’s Stephen Hendry.

After blasting past first-time semi-finalist Tom Ford 6-1 at York’s Barbican yesterday, O’Sullivan said: “It would be great to win a seventh title here. It would be special.

“I’d be over the moon to win it. If it doesn’t happen, then I’ve always got next year or the year after.

“I’ve still got plenty of time.

“It would be great to beat Hendry’s major record.

“But if I beat that, then everyone will be going on about Hendry’s RICHARD COCKERILL has emerged as a contender to succeed Eddie Jones as England’s head coach. Former hooker Cockerill (right) is in charge of Edinburgh after being binned by Leicester in January 2017. After next year’s World Cup, the RFU intend to install a new man to work alongside Jones for two years until his contract runs out in 2021. MIDFIELDER Barry Middleton admitted to a “horrible” week in the England camp after they came close to an early World Cup exit.

A 4-2 victory over Ireland in their final Pool B game on

Friday set up a pre-quarter-final clash against New Zealand tomorrow.

After the 3-0 defeat by Australia and a disappointing 2-2 draw with China, England were bottom of their group and staring at a winless campaign for world championship record, so it never ends. My main goal is to be in a great match.

“I’m proud that I’m still playing and still competing in big events after all these years.”

O’Sullivan (above), 43, has been beaten only once on the last four occasions he has entered this event – the 2016 final to world No1 Mark Selby.

The five-time world champion has again shown he’s still the man to beat this season and he continues to set new records.

Lifting the prestigious trophy would bank O’Sullivan £170,000.

It would also earn him his 34th ranking crown, which would leave him just two behind Hendry’s all-time record haul of 36.