Dean Schofield will make his return to the Aviva Premiership next season after signing for Worcester following a two-year spell in France with Toulon. The second row had become a key part of the Top 14 side’s forward pack, although the 33-year old had made it clear he was looking for a return to the Premiership this summer. Schofield will now move to Sixways, adding experience and power to the Warriors pack next season. Aviva Premiership odds, according to Betfair, of this happening are decent.

The former Sale skipper had been trailed by a number of English clubs but Schofield admitted he felt a move to Worcester was the right fit.

“Worcester were the first club I spoke to about a move back to England and, after speaking to Richard Hill and Phil Davies, my mind was made up. I’m a loyal guy and, after I chatted with them, I told them I was coming.”

The former England international will join a Worcester side still looking to cement itself as a Premiership side. Their first season back in the top flight has been a success in regards avoiding relegation, but Worcester will be looking to push on next year and the signing of Schofield will certainly bolster those chances.

Head coach Richard Hill admitted his delight at securing the signing of the powerful Schofield, insisting the second-row would add to the options among the forwards next season, adding the 33-year old’s experience would be a great addition to a Worcester side that has looked raw at times this season.

“He will add more physical presence and power to our pack of forwards and we want to go for a big pack next season.”

“Dean is a big man and a powerful man who is also quick and has superb skills.”

“Dean has a vast amount of Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup experience.”

Just ahead of the five-day declaration stage for Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National, and despite no assurance having been given that Synchronised, the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will definitely take his chance in the big race, a major gamble has developed on the horse bidding to be the first since 1934 to win the two blue riband events of National Hunt racing in the same season, writes Elliot Slater.

Available at (Bet Grand National) 12/1 in many places less than a week ago and generally trading as second-favourite behind the 10/1 market leader Junior, Synchronised has been the centre of attention of the ante-post market for ‘the world’s greatest steeplechase’ and is now down to 8/1 clear favourite, despite the fact that O’Neill and the gelding’s owner JP McManus have yet to definitely commit the son of Saddler’s Wells to the Merseryside marathon contest. Those looking to capitalise on a Betfair Free Grand National Bet should consider placing a “no money lost” stake on one of these favourites.

With the 16-times champion jumps jockey Tony McCoy on board, (one of the most recognisable faces in racing to the general public), bookies are fighting shy of what they clearly anticipate is going to be an avalanche of popular support for the horse who won the Welsh Grand National and the Midlands Grand National in previous seasons, but who this year has raised his game to score twice at the very highest level, first scoring a surprise victory in the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in December, then proving that to be no fluke at all with a stunning success in the most prestigious race of all, the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup, where he overcame being badly outpaced on the first circuit to come through with a powerful late flourish to defeat The Giant Bolster and the defending champion Long Run.

Even with top weight of 11t 10lbs most observers believe Synchronised is very well handicapped and expect connections to be unable to resist the temptation of completing the big race double last achieved by the legendary five-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Golden Miller before World War II.

With the 2012 World Championship qualifiers starting next week, the first round of the qualifiers is now at an end. As always, it has been a tense build up to the tournament, with tour places, Crucible dreams, and big payouts in the snooker betting up for grabs.

The quality of the Snooker at the Crucible Theatre takes some beating; there really is no other venue in the sport, for me, that produces the best snooker of the year. However, I would say that in terms of pure tension and drama, then nothing comes close to that offered by the World Championship qualifiers.

This was typified in the match between Justin Astley and Sam Craigie, which was described by some as being the quintessential World Championship qualifier.

Resuming at 5-3 to Craigie, the scores would soon level. There was little to separate the pair as the nerves became evident. Craigie, having been awarded a free ball with just blue, pink, and black remaining, nominated the black and attempted to play a snooker behind it, only for referee Brendan Moore to call a foul, prompting an imaginary gunshot gesture from Sam as he realised his error.

He was to receive a stroke of luck shortly after, as a fluke led to what was to be his most impressive break of the match, before Astley hit back with a strong break for 8-8.

It was bubbling up quite nicely. As the 17th frame came along, and was subsequently played for an incredible 80 minutes, the tension went up another notch. Astley chased snookers and, despite accidentally fluking at least three balls along the way, he eventually gained the penalty points required to be able to win with just pink and black remaining. Unbelievably, the tension got to Astley as he wobbled the pink in the jaws of two pockets, while the cue ball managed to find it’s way in-off and the frame was lost.

Fortunately for Astley, he did pull through for the victory in the end, but it was a great example of how the tension and nerves can make for some fine snooker, and, at the same time, whet the appetite for the World Championships. Being your preparations for the upcoming tournament with sports betting online.

Luke Donald may have to wait until June’s US Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco to win his first Major after making a poor start to the Masters. The Englishman is currently fifth-favourite for the title in US Open golf betting, at 20/1.

The world number one fired a three-under-par 75 in his first round at Augusta, then went close to being disqualified over an “administrative error” regarding his scorecard. The 34-year-old’s score was changed from a 75 to a 73 on scoreboards, and officials were asked to investigate.

Donald had a bogey five on the fifth which was entered into the scoring system as a three but, after an hour’s prevarication, it was agreed that there was a smudge on Donald’s scorecard which caused the confusion.

The penalty for signing for the wrong score is usually disqualification but the Englishman was eventually allowed to continue in the tournament.

Afterwards, Donald said: “I didn’t hit enough greens or give myself enough opportunity for birdies.”This place, if you are a little bit off, it can eat you up, and I was today. I struggled with a bit with mud on the ball, but everyone did.”

Elsewhere four-time champion Tiger Woods admitted he had fired some of the worst golf swings he had ever hit as he struggled to a 72, five shots adrift of first round leader, Lee Westwood.

The 1999 Open Championship winner Paul Lawrie, a man who is not particularly popular with people betting on golf, was, nevertheless, a surprise name on the leaderboard, after shooting a three-under par 69 to be equal fourth after 18 holes.

The Scot held the early lead after eagles on the 13th and 15th, and also birdied the 17th before dropping back with a bogey on the last.

Jonjo O’Neill is very much the man of the moment after the tremendous success of his leading John Smith’s Grand National candidate Synchronised in the Cheltenham Gold Cup a couple of weeks ago, but punters haven’t forgotten his Sunnyhillboy who has been popular in the offices in recent days and whose current odds of 16/1 drying up fast, writes Elliot Slater.

Sunnhhillboy delivered the goods on the third day of the four-day Cheltenham fixture, responding well to a fine ride from the amateur jockey Alan Berry to come through from off the pace to catch the front-running Becauseicouldntsee (also engaged in the Grand National) at the final fence, before storming up the hill to score impressively by four-and-a-half-lengths. Those looking at the Betting odds Grand National should remember this.

The nine-year-old is set to run off the same mark of 142 at Aintree on what will be his second visit to the Liverpool track; the first came three years ago and provided a dream outcome for connections as he beat Prince Taime by four-lengths to win the listed Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle under AP McCoy, so all concerned with the son of Old Vic will hope that a return to Merseyside will see the improving staying chaser put up a big performance back one of the biggest stages of all. Fans of Aintree Grand National betting should remember this.

There are few stamina doubts for Sunnyhillboy who was staying on strongly at the end of the three-and-a-quarter-mile trip at Cheltenham, and who had finished in similar fashion when running on well to take third place behind Organisedconfusion in the Irish Grand National over three furlongs further at Fairyhouse last April. Ideally suited by a decent surface, O’Neill’s charge looks set to have his preferred going, and together with Synchronised and the trainer’s other possible contender Arbor Supreme, gives the Jackdaws Castle handler as strong a hand as any in this year’s big event.

Leicester fly-half Toby Flood will again miss out for England after he was among seven players released back to their clubs ahead of Saturday’s Six Nations match against Ireland at Twickenham.

The 26-year-old returned from injury off the replacements bench against Wales but was omitted from the squad which battled to a thrilling 24-22 victory over France. Flood’s Six Nations championship is over after this latest snub.

Karl Dickson, Jordan Turner-Hall, Joe Launchbury, Lee Mears, Calum Clark and Thomas Waldrom have also rejoined their clubs.

Number eight Phil Dowson is doubtful after being knocked out late on in Paris while David Strettle is included despite missing the France clash with a sternum injury. Charlie Sharples, Strettle’s replacement at the Stade de France, also retains his place in the squad.

Interim head coach Stuart Lancaster said the squad players have bought into his long-term philosophy and have played a big role in England’s impressive Six Nations showing and fans of Betfair should remember this.

“This has been a collective effort, not just the 15 who have started games, or the 22 in the match-day squads but 30-plus players who have all bought into what we are trying to achieve,” said Lancaster.

“We are committed to the journey we are on. The next time these guys will all get together is ahead of the South Africa tour and we wish them well at their clubs for the rest of the season.”

Lancaster’s inexperienced side go into the final weekend of the tournament with an outside chance of winning the title. An England victory coupled with a France win against Wales in Cardiff and a 38-point swing would see England retain their Six Nations crown.