Best Pop Songs of All Time: 500 Hits That Appeared on the Hot 100
Selecting A 2025 Lions XV On The Back Of This Year's Six Nations
Andy Farrell will be in a jubilant mood this week, and although he won't admit it, he will also be impressed with some Lions contenders ahead of next year's tour. From some exciting Welsh prospects to Ireland's efficient cohort, and not forgetting England's revival and Scotland's mavericks; the depth is obscene.
Even if certain positions pick themselves, Farrell has an array of options across the board, both young and old. A long list that will excite when he rewatches the Six Nations games over the coming weeks.
Here's our Lions XV and replacements for that first test in Brisbane, based mostly on form.
15. Hugo Keenan11 February 2024; Hugo Keenan of Ireland during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Like Bundee Aki, who we'll get to, Hugo Keenan is probably the best in his position on the planet, and I believe he's Ireland's finest ever full-back. He is a one of a kind athlete who has every trick in the book, and is only ever distancing himself from the pack rather than playing down
14. Mack Hansen14 October 2023; Mack Hansen of Ireland during the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Our sole injured party in the ranks, there's few better natural footballing wingers than Mack Hansen. Although Calvin Nash was a worthy replacement, Hansen's ability to step into first or second receiver, act as an exit kicking or attacking kicking option and being an elite attacker gives him the edge over Darcy Graham or Rio Dyer. You'd imagine an Australia tour will bring out the best in him.
13. Garry Ringrose16 March 2024; Garry Ringrose of Ireland during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Despite a mere 23 minutes in the recent Six Nations, Garry Ringrose should make a first Lions tour next year if fit. His leadership and defensive acumen coupled with his cohesive partnership with Bundee Aki should give him the edge in a competitive position.
12. Bundee Aki9 March 2024; Elliot Daly of England is tackled by Bundee Aki of Ireland during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Last year's star of the World Cup and World Player of the Year, Bundee Aki is on another planet in recent times. Arguably the best inside centre in the current game, this Connacht and Ireland cult hero is the undisputed starter if he remains at this level; and should still hold off challengers providing a consistent standard.
11. James LoweDuhan versus Lowe. One powerful try scoring winger versus another. I can make a case either way, but Lowe is just more rounded with that gigantic left boot and defensive shutdowns tipping the scales in his favour.
10. Jack Crowley16 March 2024; Jack Crowley of Ireland during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Johnny who? Jack Crowley's rise from the AIL shadows to the Six Nations spotlight has been remarkable and seized with both hands. Although he will need to prove a handful of doubters wrong, his age and talent progression should make him the favourite for the fabled Lions 10 shirt in 2025.
9. Alex Mitchell9 March 2024; Alex Mitchell of England during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Possibly a questionable call, I have gone for Northampton's Alex Mitchell for the starting number nine shirt. Still only 26, Mitchell's ascension in the past two seasons has been remarkable, building on the improved form and coaching at club level. Given Jamison Gibson-Park's age profile in a high speed role, it has to be advantage Mitchell.
SEE ALSO: In Praise Of The Ireland Front Row, Who Fronted Up When Needed Most Against Scotland SEE ALSO: Jerry Flannery Given 24 Months To Learn New Language For South Africa Role 1. Andrew Porter16 March 2024; Andrew Porter of Ireland, left, is congratulated by his friend Pearse O'Loughlin after the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
He has his faults, but work ethic isn't one of them. Having missed out of the 2021 tour due to injury, Porter should be expected to be a starter next time around, this time at loosehead.
2. Dan Sheehan16 March 2024; Dan Sheehan of Ireland during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Everyone has their hills to die on, and mine is that Dan Sheehan is the best hooker in world rugby. His lineout darts are aesthetically pleasing and accurate, and he is a force in the open field. Only injury could dislodge him from here.
3. Tadhg Furlong16 March 2024; Tadhg Furlong of Ireland after the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Tadhg Furlong is one of rugby's greatest ever props, and although he's a starter now, this selection carries questions. A lot will depend on injuries, ageing and form but right now, the Wexford legend looks set to go on a third straight tour.
4. Dafydd Jenkins24 February 2024; Ryan Baird of Ireland is tackled by Dafydd Jenkins of Wales during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Wales at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
This is slightly controversial as I've gone for Dafydd Jenkins over Joe McCarthy. Although both locks are exciting young prospects, Jenkins already looks more polished and assured, despite being almost two years younger. However, a fully fit and firing Maro Itoje will also be hard to keep out of the side also.
5. Tadhg Beirne16 March 2024; Tadhg Beirne of Ireland during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Captain contender? Maybe. Nailed on starter? Absolutely. Tadhg Beirne is one of Ireland's all time great second row forwards and for good measure. A Lion in 2021, Beirne is posed to be influential once more, and is currently taking applications for a partner, rather than asking for inclusion.
6. Ollie Chessum9 March 2024; Ollie Chessum of England wins possession in the lineout against Tadhg Beirne of Ireland during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Without a powerful tighthead lock or wrecking ball number eight, then we need someone to act as a mix of both. Step forward England's Ollie Chessum. At 6'7" and 118 kilos, the lock-flanker hybrid can bring a versatile link between power and disruption.
7. Ben Earl9 March 2024; Ben Earl of England celebrates winning a penalty during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
England's most explosive carrier has finally stepped up to the plate at international level, with form mirroring his showings with Saracens. Earl has long swapped between openside and number eight, and with Jenkins and Chessum starting, he could be freed up to do damage.
8. Caelan Doris - captain16 March 2024; Caelan Doris of Ireland during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Caelan Doris spent most of 2021 sidelined and ultimately missed that year's tour to South Africa, but he also looks nailed on to travel this time. A rising leader too, the Mayo native could be in with a shout at captaincy also.
SubstitutesRonan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Zander Fagerson, Maro Itoje, Rory Darge; Ben White, Finn Russell, Huw Jones
There is a long way to go until the next Lions tour. They will run out on Lansdowne Road before departure, and if recent form is anything to go by, they will be getting a large home send-off.
CAROLINA BASEBALL: Gamecocks Fall To Tide 13-6
TUSCALOOSA – Alabama scored seven runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, breaking a 6-all tie and giving the Crimson Tide a 13-6 win over the University of South Carolina baseball team Friday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
Alabama sent 10 men to the plate in the eighth and had five hits, the big one an Ian Petrutz three-run home run. Alabama scored five runs in the third inning, but Carolina chipped away to score four in the fifth as Parker Noland drove in a pair on a single to center and Cole Messina homered to left field, a two-run shot.
Carolina tied the game at six with a pair of runs in the sixth as Messina drove in a run on a groundout and Will Tippett trotted home on a passed ball.
Matthew Becker took the loss, allowing five runs and eight hits with five strikeouts and no walk in 4.1 innings of relief. Dylan Eskew started the game, allowing five runs on three hits with a strikeout and two walks in 2.2 innings.
Messina drove in three runs while Ethan Petry had two hits and Noland two RBI in the game.
• Petry also has reached base in the last 37 games dating back to last season.
• Messina becomes Carolina's second double-digit home run hitter, joining Ethan Petry (12).
• Becker tied a season high with five strikeouts on the night.
• Carolina left 10 men on base.
Under New Banner, Bomgaars Carries A Wider Array Of Merchandise
Mike Pracheil has managed the farm store at 515 S. Webb Road for many years.
So he knows what he's talking about when he says Bomgaars, the store's new owner, is better than its previous incarnation, Orscheln Farm and Home.
"We have a far wider variety of merchandise," Pracheil said.
Under the Bomgaars' banner, the store has expanded its line of tools and hardware. The amount of clothing has also increased.
A woman signs up for Bomgaars' grand opening raffle on Friday, Feb. 16. Under the Bomgaars' banner, according to the manager, the store has expanded its line of tools and hardware. The amount of clothing has also increased.
GRACIE SMITH,THE INDEPENDENTThe store also has a different feel, Pracheil said. That might have to do with "all the different merchandise we have," and the way the store is laid out.
"It's a lot more customer-friendly," said Pracheil, who's been the store's manager since 2003.
People should also come to Bomgaars because of the friendly staff, he said.
People are also reading…
The transition of the Grand Island store began in October 2022, when Bomgaars acquired 73 Orscheln stores in seven states.
In Grand Island, the changeover became complete in January, when the merchandise was switched from Orscheln to Bomgaars.
Bomgaars tore manager Mike Pracheil gives a speech during store's grand opening on Feb. 16. Although he started out with a different owner, Pracheil has managed this location since 2003.
GRACIE SMITH, THE INDEPENDENTPeople in this area have been familiar with the Bomgaars name for some time, because of stores in St. Paul and Central City, among others.
Bomgaars, based in Sioux City, Iowa, now operates 180 stores in 15 states. In addition to Nebraska and Iowa, stores are located in Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. Based on store count, Bomgaars is now the second-largest farm and ranch retailer in the country.
Some of the Orscheln stores were sold to Tractor Supply Co. As well as Bomgaars.
Orscheln, which was based in Moberly, Missouri, is no more. As part of the sale, Bomgaars added a southern corporate office and distribution center in Moberly.
Bomgaars' roots go all the way back to 1944, when the company was founded in Middleburg, Iowa.
How would Pracheil describe Bomgaars?
"We basically have a little bit of everything. It's kind of a one-stop shop for a lot of different things," he said.
According to Bomgaars website, the company stocks more than 60,000 items in each location's 13 major departments. Those departments include lawn and garden (plus nursery), clothing, footwear, farm, pet, automotive supplies, paint, hardware, tools, housewares and toys.
People shop during the grand opening of Bomgaars on Feb. 16. According to the company's website, the company stocks more than 60,000 items in each location's 13 major departments incluing lawn and garden (plus nursery), clothing, footwear, farm, pet, automotive supplies, paint, hardware, tools, housewares and toys.
GRACIE SMITH, THE INDEPENDENTThe company has a "pronounced seasonal emphasis," the website says. "In order to have what you need year round, every Bomgaars store restocks to suit the season. Most other stores look pretty much the same year round, but Bomgaars rebuilds half the store and more every spring and fall."
Bomgaars is considered a farm store, but the Grand Island location attracts plenty of customers who own small acreages, Pracheil said.
There are other farm and ranch stores around.
After its transition from a previous owner, Bomgaars hosted its grand opening Feb. 16 at the store on South Webb Road. Pictured is store manager Mike Pracheil (center), Carole Urbom (left), who works for Holiday Express and Boulder Flats; and Shirley McCallum, who works for the Nebraska State Fair. Both women were representing the Chamber of Commerce at the event.
GRACIE SMITH, THE INDEPENDENTBut, "Anybody who's in the retail sector is really probably going to be a competitor, since we have a little bit of everything," Pracheil said.
Almost every week, Bomgaars has a different promotion. "So there's always something on sale," he said.
A great spring tradition remains at the store. Baby chicks arrived this week at Bomgaars.
Pracheil's friends, by the way, won't see him around the store for long. The 65-year-old manager is retiring in June.
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Comments
Post a Comment