Premier League Arrows: Josh Rock is excited to face world champion Luke Littler in Belfast

Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock says he expects there to be a raucous atmosphere when he faces two-time world champion Luke Littler in the Premier League at Belfast’s SSE Arena in February.

Rock was named in an elite group of eight players to compete in the Premier League for the first time last week, with the 17-week tournament kicking off in Newcastle on February 5.

Belfast will host the fourth night on February 26, with the County Antrim native set to enjoy the support of the home crowd when he takes on world number one Littler.

“I think it would be absolutely crazy,” the 24-year-old told BBC Sport NI.

“Darryl [Gurney] It was the last [from Northern Ireland to be part of the Premier League, in 2020]But that was before Covid and darts wasn’t that big at the time. Now the game of darts is bigger than it has ever been.

“I play Luke [Littler] In Belfast so we’ll see what happens. Every time I played with him I averaged over 100. “I’ve been in front every time but I can’t seem to get over the line, but I’ll get over it yet.”

Rock says he talks to Littler “almost every day” and that the sport owes a lot to the English teenage sensation.

“It all has to go back to Luke Littler. If he hadn’t done what he did when he was only 16 [reaching the World Championship final as a rank outsider] And winning the World Series the last two years, this sport would not have been where it is now.

“Everyone should thank him for that.

“It’s gone through the roof now. Darts is in a different place now than it was 10 years ago when I was a young player. There’s a lot of opportunity now.”