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The Herald Scotland
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
South Pacific tour ‘crucial' to Scotland seeding for World Cup
In their final game, Scotland take on Samoa in Auckland, New Zealand at the historic Eden Park on July 18. Head coach Townsend, who named Rory Darge as captain with George Turner returning to the fold after missing the last year of international rugby following his move to Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan, said: 'We know that playing Test matches for Scotland and winning Test matches for Scotland is really important, so we have to pick a strong squad to take on the likes of Fiji and Samoa. 'It's an even more important issue with the world-ranking points. The World Cup draw gets made after November, so these games are crucial to make sure we've got the best chance of being in that top six and getting a better seeding. 'There's always, maybe one or two players that we decided not to select not because of form, but because we think it's not right for them to go into tour at this time. 'But other than that, it's as strong as a squad as we could select, and the benefit of having that third game of the game against Maori All Blacks will mean that we will everybody in tour will get game time, and players that maybe haven't played as much for us in the past are going to get game time on the tour and game time for Scotland.' Head Coach Gregor Townsend discusses his selections for the @Skyscanner Pacific Tour. Watch the video here ➡️ — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) June 10, 2025 There are three uncapped players named by head coach Gregor Townsend – stand-off Fergus Burke, back-row Alexander Masibaka and tighthead prop Fin Richardson – although all three have been involved with the squad before. In the back row, Matt Fagerson has been included despite missing the end of season with Glasgow through injury but there is no place for Jack Dempsey, who had been sidelined since the Six Nations win over Wales in March. Forwards Andy Onyeama-Christie and Max Williamson are back in after injury. Townsend said he was pleased to be able to recall Turner, who has signed for Harlequins for next season. He said: 'I think when George went to Japan, we never knew whether that would be extended and he was there until the end of his career, which would make it very difficult for him to be considered for us, given the Japan season is played during the Six Nations. George Turner is back in the Scotland squad (Brian Lawless/PA) 'So it was very good news that he got a club back in the UK and he was really keen to be back involved with us.' Townsend believes some of the Scotland players who narrowly missed out on selection for the British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of Australia may yet get their chance. He said: 'I don't want to say we hope that to happen because that means someone's been injured on the tour, but if someone does get injured, then we would like to feel that our players in a strong position. Some would have been very close to selection anyway. 'If they're playing in New Zealand or in Fiji and playing well, then that gives them an even bigger opportunity to potentially join the Lions tour. 'We've seen the weekend, unfortunately for us was Zander (Fagerson) being injured, but there will be injuries on the way to Australia and during the tour in Australia. Rory Darge has been named Scotland captain for the summer tour (Andrew Milligan/PA) 'But the good thing for our players and those that maybe were closer to selection is they were so keen to come out and tour. They've had long seasons, but some of these players are in great form. I look at the weekend and seeing lots of Rory Darge and Tom Jordan still playing some of their best rugby at this time of the season. 'So that's great for us as we go to tour, but it should be also good for chances of getting on the Lions tour.' Scotland Under-20 men's assistant coach Fergus Pringle has been appointed as forwards coach for the tour, deputising for John Dalziel, who will be with the Lions.
Glasgow Times
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
South Pacific tour ‘crucial' to Scotland seeding for World Cup
The Scots kick off with a match against the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei, New Zealand on July 5 before they take on Fiji a week later, with the match marking Scotland's first game on Fijian soil since 2017. In their final game, Scotland take on Samoa in Auckland, New Zealand at the historic Eden Park on July 18. Head coach Townsend, who named Rory Darge as captain with George Turner returning to the fold after missing the last year of international rugby following his move to Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan, said: 'We know that playing Test matches for Scotland and winning Test matches for Scotland is really important, so we have to pick a strong squad to take on the likes of Fiji and Samoa. 'It's an even more important issue with the world-ranking points. The World Cup draw gets made after November, so these games are crucial to make sure we've got the best chance of being in that top six and getting a better seeding. 'There's always, maybe one or two players that we decided not to select not because of form, but because we think it's not right for them to go into tour at this time. 'But other than that, it's as strong as a squad as we could select, and the benefit of having that third game of the game against Maori All Blacks will mean that we will everybody in tour will get game time, and players that maybe haven't played as much for us in the past are going to get game time on the tour and game time for Scotland.' Head Coach Gregor Townsend discusses his selections for the @Skyscanner Pacific Tour. Watch the video here ➡️ — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) June 10, 2025 There are three uncapped players named by head coach Gregor Townsend – stand-off Fergus Burke, back-row Alexander Masibaka and tighthead prop Fin Richardson – although all three have been involved with the squad before. In the back row, Matt Fagerson has been included despite missing the end of season with Glasgow through injury but there is no place for Jack Dempsey, who had been sidelined since the Six Nations win over Wales in March. Forwards Andy Onyeama-Christie and Max Williamson are back in after injury. Townsend said he was pleased to be able to recall Turner, who has signed for Harlequins for next season. He said: 'I think when George went to Japan, we never knew whether that would be extended and he was there until the end of his career, which would make it very difficult for him to be considered for us, given the Japan season is played during the Six Nations. George Turner is back in the Scotland squad (Brian Lawless/PA) 'So it was very good news that he got a club back in the UK and he was really keen to be back involved with us.' Townsend believes some of the Scotland players who narrowly missed out on selection for the British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of Australia may yet get their chance. He said: 'I don't want to say we hope that to happen because that means someone's been injured on the tour, but if someone does get injured, then we would like to feel that our players in a strong position. Some would have been very close to selection anyway. 'If they're playing in New Zealand or in Fiji and playing well, then that gives them an even bigger opportunity to potentially join the Lions tour. 'We've seen the weekend, unfortunately for us was Zander (Fagerson) being injured, but there will be injuries on the way to Australia and during the tour in Australia. Rory Darge has been named Scotland captain for the summer tour (Andrew Milligan/PA) 'But the good thing for our players and those that maybe were closer to selection is they were so keen to come out and tour. They've had long seasons, but some of these players are in great form. I look at the weekend and seeing lots of Rory Darge and Tom Jordan still playing some of their best rugby at this time of the season. 'So that's great for us as we go to tour, but it should be also good for chances of getting on the Lions tour.' Scotland Under-20 men's assistant coach Fergus Pringle has been appointed as forwards coach for the tour, deputising for John Dalziel, who will be with the Lions.
South Wales Argus
10-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
South Pacific tour ‘crucial' to Scotland seeding for World Cup
The Scots kick off with a match against the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei, New Zealand on July 5 before they take on Fiji a week later, with the match marking Scotland's first game on Fijian soil since 2017. In their final game, Scotland take on Samoa in Auckland, New Zealand at the historic Eden Park on July 18. Head coach Townsend, who named Rory Darge as captain with George Turner returning to the fold after missing the last year of international rugby following his move to Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan, said: 'We know that playing Test matches for Scotland and winning Test matches for Scotland is really important, so we have to pick a strong squad to take on the likes of Fiji and Samoa. 'It's an even more important issue with the world-ranking points. The World Cup draw gets made after November, so these games are crucial to make sure we've got the best chance of being in that top six and getting a better seeding. 'There's always, maybe one or two players that we decided not to select not because of form, but because we think it's not right for them to go into tour at this time. 'But other than that, it's as strong as a squad as we could select, and the benefit of having that third game of the game against Maori All Blacks will mean that we will everybody in tour will get game time, and players that maybe haven't played as much for us in the past are going to get game time on the tour and game time for Scotland.' Head Coach Gregor Townsend discusses his selections for the @Skyscanner Pacific Tour. Watch the video here ➡️ — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) June 10, 2025 There are three uncapped players named by head coach Gregor Townsend – stand-off Fergus Burke, back-row Alexander Masibaka and tighthead prop Fin Richardson – although all three have been involved with the squad before. In the back row, Matt Fagerson has been included despite missing the end of season with Glasgow through injury but there is no place for Jack Dempsey, who had been sidelined since the Six Nations win over Wales in March. Forwards Andy Onyeama-Christie and Max Williamson are back in after injury. Townsend said he was pleased to be able to recall Turner, who has signed for Harlequins for next season. He said: 'I think when George went to Japan, we never knew whether that would be extended and he was there until the end of his career, which would make it very difficult for him to be considered for us, given the Japan season is played during the Six Nations. George Turner is back in the Scotland squad (Brian Lawless/PA) 'So it was very good news that he got a club back in the UK and he was really keen to be back involved with us.' Townsend believes some of the Scotland players who narrowly missed out on selection for the British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of Australia may yet get their chance. He said: 'I don't want to say we hope that to happen because that means someone's been injured on the tour, but if someone does get injured, then we would like to feel that our players in a strong position. Some would have been very close to selection anyway. 'If they're playing in New Zealand or in Fiji and playing well, then that gives them an even bigger opportunity to potentially join the Lions tour. 'We've seen the weekend, unfortunately for us was Zander (Fagerson) being injured, but there will be injuries on the way to Australia and during the tour in Australia. Rory Darge has been named Scotland captain for the summer tour (Andrew Milligan/PA) 'But the good thing for our players and those that maybe were closer to selection is they were so keen to come out and tour. They've had long seasons, but some of these players are in great form. I look at the weekend and seeing lots of Rory Darge and Tom Jordan still playing some of their best rugby at this time of the season. 'So that's great for us as we go to tour, but it should be also good for chances of getting on the Lions tour.' Scotland Under-20 men's assistant coach Fergus Pringle has been appointed as forwards coach for the tour, deputising for John Dalziel, who will be with the Lions.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ruki Shiroiwa Makes Voice Acting Debut in 'As One, Square Enix' Anime Prequel to Starwing Paradox
In a new special video released on Wednesday, the crew of ' As One , Square Enix,' and 'Sunrise' in a feature-length theatrical prequel anime film to Square Enix's Starwing Paradox game revealed that JO1 boy group member Ruki Shiroiwa has been cast as the main character, Yō. Shiroiwa is making his voice-acting debut. After listening to 'Himawari' (Sunflower), the song he wrote and composed himself and released as the fourth single from his self-produced project 'PlanJ,' the staff decided to cast him. Set twenty years before the game's plot, the movie will tell an entirely original tale. The main character of the movie is Yō, a high school student who is losing touch with his bandmates and whose parents disapprove of his aspirations to pursue a career in music. One day, he is surrounded by a bright light and hears a voice in his head pleading for assistance. In another scene, two nations that have been at war for a long time over energy sources start an uncomfortable truce in a world called Meguriboshi. As a massive piece of space debris approaches the planet, robot mechanic Rako loses consciousness and contacts Yō while unconscious. Further, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Evangelion, Nadia—The Secret of Blue Water, Summer Wars) returns from the game to design the characters for the film, which is directed by Kobun Shizuno (Detective Conan films 15–21). Scriptwriters Shatner Nishida (Lupin III: Prison of the Past), Kana Matsui, and Masaya Honda (Boruto: Naruto Next Generations); mechanical designer Ippei Gyōbu (Gundam: Reconguista in G, Synduality), and more form the team of the movie. On August 22, the movie will be released in theaters.
HKFP
03-06-2025
- Business
- HKFP
Hong Kong pro-democracy business hit with ‘unwarranted' tax demand, owner says
A Hong Kong pro-democracy shop owner has said his business is facing 'unwarranted' tax demands. Derek Chu, an ex-district councillor and the owner of e-commerce company As One, said on Tuesday that the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) demanded in April that his business pay HK$120,075 in profit tax for the financial year 2023-24. The tax assessment would mean As One made a profit of about HK$1.5 million in 2023-24, but in reality, his shop only recorded a profit of less than HK$100,000, Chu told HKFP in a phone interview. Most of As One's HK$4 million income last year was spent on salaries, rent, and restocking products, he added. 'The numbers should have been obvious to the IRD,' Chu said. 'I don't know how they could see that much profit.' The shop owner, who also founded the prisoners' rights advocacy group Waiting Bird, accused the IRD of 'targeting' his business and said he decided to speak up about the tax demand to 'set the record straight.' 'It's about telling people that what the IRD did was completely unwarranted,' he said. HKFP has contacted the IRD for comment. Part of As One's business model is selling gift packages for prisoners, which accounted for about a third of the shop's income, according to an Instagram post published on Monday. The company relies on loans from Chu's family members to maintain cash flow, and it has accumulated debts totalling over HK$1 million since the business started in 2021, he said. He has been repaying the loan, but there is still an outstanding amount of 'hundreds of thousands' of dollars, Chu told HKFP. The five full-time staff members and two part-time staffers only earn meagre salaries of less than HK$20,000 a month, while Chu himself has never got paid in full, he said. The IRD's tax demand has made his business 'harder' as he has to borrow more from his family members to pay the tax, he added. Independent media's tax audits Chu's disclosure comes nearly two weeks after the Hong Kong Journalists' Association (HKJA) made a similar announcement last month. According to the press union, six independent media outlets in the city have been facing tax audits from the IRD since late 2023, with the IRD making errors and 'strange, unreasonable claims' in its tax assessments and demands. The outlets include HKFP, InMedia, The Witness, ReNews, Boomhead, and one that did not wish to be named. In a statement, HKFP said it has been cooperating fully with the IRD's tax audit, adding that it has 'always met its tax obligations, paid IRD demands immediately, and ensured meticulous record-keeping' since it was established in 2015. According to the HKJA, 20 individuals, including heads of media outlets and their spouses, are also subject to the IRD's audits and backdated tax demands. The HKJA also faces the IRD's scrutiny. When asked by a reporter about the matter, Chief Executive John Lee brushed off HKJA's allegations and said that journalists 'have no privilege to evade taxes.'
