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Irish Examiner
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Andy Farrell's five Lions posers as clock counts down to first test in Australia
THE British & Irish Lions have barely started their trek around Australia, but the all-important Test series is fast approaching. Some definitive selection calls will soon have to be made and this week's games, against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Wednesday and the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday, will be pivotal for certain individuals. There are five main areas of debate. Front row Dan Sheehan, as expected, has emerged as the Lions' Test hooker in waiting. The moment he was asked to lead the side in Perth, taking over from the tour captain, Maro Itoje, it was a sure indicator of how highly Andy Farrell rates him. Ronan Kelleher and Luke Cowan-Dickie are probably contesting the bench spot; some consistent lineout darts from the former against the Reds on Saturday could go a long way towards securing it. At loosehead prop, this is also a big game for Andrew Porter if he intends to start ahead of Ellis Genge. The latter was in rip-snorting mode against Argentina and the Lions need powerful, unapologetic ball-carriers. Which leaves tighthead, still an area with a slight question hovering over it from Farrell's perspective. Everyone knows how good Tadhg Furlong can be; the question is whether the big man can now replicate his past heroics. Finlay Bealham, only on the tour because of Zander Fagerson's injury, took his chance against the Pumas but a commanding display by Will Stuart this week could yet help the Englishman book himself a starting role in the first Test back in Brisbane on July 19. Second row The lock conversation is fascinating. Itoje, as captain, is the first name on the Lions team-sheet but big Joe McCarthy had such a high-class game in Perth that it will be tough to leave him out of the first Test, particularly with the Wallabies primed to come hard early on. Some people thrive in the rarefied air of a Lions tours and the 24-year-old McCarthy – right down to his Aussie-style mullet – is relishing the opportunity. But if Itoje and McCarthy end up starting, that would probably require the Lions to consider a third lineout option at No 6, almost certainly Tadhg Beirne. There is just one snag. Beirne, by his absurdly high standards, has yet to show the absolute best of himself in his two games. Does Farrell back him to come good or slide him back into the second row at the in-form McCarthy's expense? The door remains fractionally open, consequently, for the combative Ollie Chessum if he has a barnstormer alongside Itoje against the Reds. Should Farrell opt for a 6-2 bench – and even if he doesn't – Chessum could easily be in the Test squad conversation. FINAL FURLONG: Can Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong get up to speed in time for the opening test match in Brisbane? Pic: Dan Sheridan, Inpho Back row The blindside conundrum is further complicated by the presence of Tom Curry, the sort of relentless operator every coach loves to have. The Wallabies will have big Rob Valetini in that position and the Lions cannot afford to let him roam free. Should Beirne start at 6, though, that means deploying Curry either at 7 or 8 or else on the bench. Finding a slot at openside will be tricky given Josh van der Flier's timely return to form; the Irishman is experienced, reliable and showed up well in Perth. Then there is Henry Pollock: the reason Farrell likes the 20-year-old is that he brings pace and dynamism few others possess. The Reds game is massive, accordingly, for Jack Conan, who was probably the narrow frontrunner for the No 8 shirt (in the absence of Caelan Doris) when the squad was unveiled. Ben Earl has had limited opportunity to show the form that has made him an England regular. The most compelling option of the lot? What a shame Jack Willis – brilliant again for Toulouse in the Top 14 final – is not here. Midfield The Test half-back pairing, barring injuries, is set to be Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell, but the combination that will start outside them is less certain. On paper, Sione Tuipulotu would be the perfect foil for Russell at 12, but the Glasgow Warrior has not played much this year. Farrell has also mixed and matched, declining to use the all-Irish duo of Bundee Aki and Gary Ringrose or the Scottish combo of Tuipulotu and Huw Jones for the moment. The selection to watch, as a result, will be the side to face the Waratahs on Saturday; Farrell may well be tempted to trial his optimal backline against the Brumbies in Canberra the following Wednesday. If Aki and Ringrose are picked it could be good news for 'Huwipulotu' as the regular Scottish partnership has become known. Back three Similarly it is easy to imagine Farrell being tempted to plump for two Ireland wingers who are used to dovetailing in a green jersey. James Lowe is such a smart footballer and helped to create a couple of stunning tries in Perth. Mack Hansen is a different type of player but his kick-chase ability and energy also make him an awkward opponent. Unless this week changes the narrative completely. Maybe the powerful Duhan van der Merwe will take the Reds to the cleaners? Perhaps Tommy Freeman will remind everyone of his aerial ability, a vital area against the Wallabies? Then there is the battle at full-back. Blair Kinghorn, last seen celebrating in his Toulouse budgie smugglers, has finally arrived and will almost certainly feature against the Waratahs. In his absence, Elliot Daly has not put a foot wrong and Hugo Keenan has plenty of credit in the Bank of Farrell. A Test back-three of Kinghorn, Lowe and Hansen – with Daly on the bench – would not be a surprise but nothing is set in stone. Guardian
Perth Now
01-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
New bakery brings slice of France to the western suburbs
Western suburbs locals are in for a treat with the opening of a new French cafe. Artisan Crust Bakery flung open the doors to their Floreat Forum venue on Tuesday morning. Husband and wife duo Benjamin and Marie Gauthier are the culinary brains behind the western European inspired venture, aiming to bring a taste of France to Perth. Specialising in a selection of French treats, the venue is serving up croissants, pain au chocolats and their signature canéle de Bordeaux. The menu also boasts a range of savoury delights from Aussie-style meat pies, quiches, toasties and baguettes filled with local ingredients. Coffee lovers can fuel up with an assortment of caffeinated drinks brewed with beans from Blacklist Coffee Roasters. The bakery has been hinting at the location's upcoming arrival since an initial announcement post on Instagram in early May. Artisan Crust Bakery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 7:30am to 3:30pm and can be found in the Outdoor Forum at Shop 81/5 Howtree Place Floreat.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hunterdon County is holding its first-ever wine festival. Here's how to attend
With six wineries throughout its bucolic rolling hills, Hunterdon County is a New Jersey wine destination. And now, it's getting its first wine festival. The UNCORK Summer wine festival will offer wine tastings from 10 Garden State wineries from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, outdoors at the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, rain or shine. The Hunterdon County wineries in attendance will be Angelico Winery in Lambertville, Federal Twist Vineyard in Stockton, and Old York Cellars in Ringoes. Wine news: 'New and fresh' Hunterdon County winery opens indoor tasting room Festivalgoers will be able to sample wine, buy wine by the bottle and meet winemakers. The event will also include two food trucks, nearly a dozen vendors and live music. G'Day Gourmet, which serves Aussie-style meat pies, and Meat Wagon BBQ, which serves barbecued meats, will be the onsite food trucks. Vendors will include The Kind Vine, which makes wine-related gifts like coasters and wine charms; hot sauce maker Tia B's; Sweet Stuff Bakery; and Odd Jobs Salvage, which makes home decor items using live edge wood. Things to do: Eat, drink and be merry at these Central Jersey food festivals in 2025 Tickets are $25 in advance at $30 at the door (cash only). Non-drinkers over 18 can purchase $10 tickets, only available at the door in cash. Non-drinking tickets for those under 18 are free. The event is held by GPS, INC., an event production company that has held over 250 wine and beer tasting events over the last 20 years, in collaboration with Explore Hunterdon, the official tourism initiative of Hunterdon County. "The Red Mill is a great backdrop for an event for like this," said Marc Saluk, economic development and tourism director of Hunterdon County. "Not only can people enjoy local wine, they can stay and shop Clinton's main street and dine there that evening." Go: noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, at the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, $25 advance, $30 at the door; purchase tickets at Contact: JIntersimone@ Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, although she's a lifetime Jersey girl who considers herself an expert in everything from the Jersey Shore to the Garden State's buzzing downtowns. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. You can also follow her on Instagram at @seejennaeat and on Twitter at @JIntersimone. This article originally appeared on Hunterdon County NJ UNCORK Summer wine festival debuts June 7
