Second World Matchplay or England winning the Euros? Nathan Aspinall gives emphatic answer

Nathan Aspinall learned his draw fate yesterday and he will face off against Luke Woodhouse to begin his World Matchplay quest. The defending champion won in a magical run last year and it is a tournament that will always hold the best memories.

This is despite Aspinall's recent travails with injury with a recent admission that his injury was worse than two years ago. He admitted himself during an interview with Betfred that he will have to give it 110% to get through and doesn't know how his body will hold up.

But it is a tournament he holds in the same regard as the World Championship as he detailed and he is part of a select few to seal it.

"Probably my proudest moment as a darts player to date...until I win the World's. But it's an amazing tournament. It's just the building, the history of the World Matchplay. What Phil Taylor did in the Winter Gardens. The crowd, the fans, the walk on. It's the best 32 players in the world. What more do you want," said Aspinall to Betfred. "Obviously I won it last year and it'll always hold a special place in my heart."

He quipped at the time that it was a tournament that can only be won by special darts players and he sees only two tournaments as being the standouts. "World Championship and World Matchplay. I won the UK Open, it's a major but the World Matchplay is the best 32 players, no lucky draws. No easy rounds, you're playing the best of the best. Long format, very tough conditions it's very warm. It's probably the second hardest tournament to win and I did it."

"I'm looking forward to being brought on as the defending champion. I'm just going to try and grab as many memories of that final day as I can. A lot of people know I'm probably not in the best of form at the moment. That's not down to my game, I've got an injury. But I will give it 110%, I want to defend that title. I want my trophy back."

"I have had injuries for the past two years and I've still been winning tournaments so imagine how good I'll be when it's sorted. It'll be amazing if I can go back to back. It's going to be very tough for me. Is my arm going to hold up? I don't know until I do it. I'll try my best for my fans and my family."

England are currently playing in the Euro's and Aspinall was given the question whether he would want to win a second World Matchplay or the football tournament and it was an emphatic answer as he also gave Gareth Southgate some advice.

"Matchplay without a doubt," quickly said Aspinall. "Don't be scared to change things. It's coming home, you've got to be positive."

He also supports Manchester United and with Erik ten Hag receiving a new contract, he said he is the man to back.

"There's no-one out there. He's won two trophies in two years. They've got the better stable now and infrastructure at the top. I think we will do a job."

Also he gave his five-a-side team out of darts players."Nathan in net. I'd have at the back Dobey he's a big lad and Littler for the same reason," he laughed. "Joe Cullen because he's not a bad footballer and another little whippet Humphries."