The 2025 World Darts Championship draw has been finalised, and there are some standout potential ties.
As ever, the name most people have looked out for first is Luke Littler, and darts fans are excited about a potential match between Littler and Fallon Sherrock.
However, as exciting as a match between Littler and Sherrock is, there’s another potential opponent The Nuke could face in the second round.
Indeed, Ryan Meikle will face Fallon Sherrock for the right to face Littler at Alexandra Palace, and there’s reason to believe the 28-year-old could cause the Premier League champion a problem or two.
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Who is Ryan Meikle?
Ryan Meikle may not be the most well-known name in darts, but he has a chance to make a name for himself at the World Championships if he faces off against Luke Littler.
Meikle may be a relative unknown, ranked 62nd in the world, but he is a talent when he’s at his best.
Indeed, Meikle has two recorded nine-darters on his record.
The 28-year-old has averaged over 108 in a TV event once, and if he brings that form to Alexandra Palace, he will be a force to be reckoned with.
| Ryan Meikle stats | |
| Best TV performance | Last 16 – 2019 Players Championship Finals |
| Highest TV average | 108.76 |
| Recorded nine-dart finishes | 2 |
| Best World Championship performance | 2023 – Second Round – 3-1 loss to Raymond van Barneveld |
Meikle has never won a TV title, nor has he ever been victorious in a floor event, but he did reach the last 16 of the Players Championship Finals in 2019, beating Jonny Clayton in that event.
Meikle recently beat Gary Anderson in the Players Championship Finals, in what was arguably his best result of the year.
Anderson was fancied heading into that tournament, but Meikle dispatched The Flying Scotsman.
Meikle will face Fallon Sherrock in round one at this year’s World Championships, and this is the second time he’ll face a qualifier from the Women’s Series.
In 2023, Meikle faced Lisa Ashton in Round One, winning that game 3-2.
Ryan Meikle’s personal life
Away from darts, Meikle is a barber by trade, hence his darting nickname – The Barber, while in his spare time Meikle is a supporter of Ipswich Town.
Meikle is from Ipswich, and has been playing darts since 2014.
Luke Littler is a Manchester United fan, and, interestingly, the two sides drew 1-1 in Ruben Amorim’s first game as the manager of Manchester United.
Ipswich upset the odds against Manchester United in the Premier League, and Meikle will be hoping to do the same against Littler should the two meet at the World Championships.