World Snooker Championship draw: Full schedule and first round matches including Ronnie O’Sullivan v Ali Carter

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Ronnie O’Sullivan will face old rival Ali Carter in a blockbuster first-round draw at the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible – if he decides to play.

Seven-time champion O’Sullivan is seeded fifth at the tournament but has not played in since January after pulling out of the Masters earlier this year.

Should the 49-year-old decide to play at the Crucible, he will take on a two-time World Championship finalist in Carter, who booked his place in the draw on Thursday.

Ali Carter, pictured, has lost two World Championship finals to Ronnie O’Sullivan (PA Wire)

The first-round clash has the potential to be a grudge match, with O’Sullivan calling Carter “not a nice person” and a “nightmare” to play against following a heated Masters match last year.

The World Snooker Championship gets underway on Saturday 19 April with the final played over two days starting on Sunday 4 May.