JAVAN SEBASTIAN, the three-times capped Scotland tight-head prop, will join Edinburgh in the summer on a two-year deal.
The Carmarthen-born 28-year-old currently plays for URC rivals Scarlets, where he came through the academy and represented Wales at under-16s and under-18s levels. He spent the 2015-16 season on a ‘partnership deal’ with Glasgow Warriors and Ayr, for whom he appeared regularly in the Scottish Premiership, before returning to Scarlets and making 65 appearances for the region to date, coming off the bench during last Saturday’s 42-12 demolition of Edinburgh.
Sebastian qualifies to play for Scotland through his Edinburgh born and raised father, and received his first call-up by Gregor Townsend in the summer of 2021, although Covid meant he did not get a chance to wear the thistle until that November’s Test series when he made his debut off the bench versus Japan.
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He appeared off the bench again during the first and second Tests against Argentina last summer, but has not added to his cap tally since then, although he was named in Scotland’s extended training squad for the current Six Nations campaign.
Edinburgh currently have six tight-head props in the senior squad. Luan de Bruin has another year to run on his current deal. It is not clear what the contract statuses beyond the end of this season are for 36-year-old WP Nel, Lee-Roy Atalifo and Angus Williams. Meanwhile, Murray McCallum is moving to Newcastle Falcons at the end of the season, and Elliot Millar-Mills is on a short-term deal as international and injury cover during this Six Nations window.
Dan Gamble is still in the academy but you’d hope that he is soon able to progress into the senior squad and add to his three appearances so far.
“Leaving Scarlets certainly wasn’t an easy decision and I’ve got a huge debt of gratitude to the club,” said Sebastian. “They are my home region and gave me my first opportunity to play professionally.
“However, this move to Edinburgh is massively exciting and it’s an opportunity that I genuinely can’t wait to get stuck into. The club is really ambitious with a talented squad and cracking new stadium, and Edinburgh is a beautiful city.
“This is a fresh challenge for me and one that really excites me because of my aspirations to continue playing international rugby. Hopefully I can keep myself in a strong position with Scotland by playing consistently for Edinburgh.
“I obviously know quite a lot of the Edinburgh boys from Scotland camp. I can’t wait to link up with the squad this summer and hit the ground running.”
Sebastian is leaving the Welsh rugby scene at a time of unprecedented upheaval, with the national team threatening strike action on Saturday when they are due to host England in the Six Nations over a series concerns related to a new funding model for the nation’s four regions – Cardiff, Ospreys, Scarlets and Dragons – which has left about 90 players unsure of whether they will have a contract next season.
“Javan is a player that we’ve been able to track for some time and we’ve been hugely impressed with his performances for both Scarlets and Scotland,” said Edinburgh head coach Mike Blair.
“He’s an excellent scrummager which we want to develop into his super strength and he has the skill set to thrive in our environment.
“We know the Scotland coaches and staff are impressed with his work on the tighthead side and what he brings to the position. He’s also a great guy who will fit in well with our culture here at Edinburgh.
“We’re really excited to welcome Javan to the club this summer.”
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if Nel retires after the RWC as is quite probably, Edinburgh do not have starting TH worthy of the name. Hence Sebastian.
The S6 is there to raise standards, it has. To develop players, it has, but that does not mean we can simply dive in and pick out a starting TH for pro rugby (and in reality with only 2 pro teams, a player ready for Scotland)
It is fair comment to say Edinburgh have made a right mess of succession for Nel etc. Losing Berghan, McCallum, missing out on the chance to sign Rae; preferring the useless De Bruin, aging and average Atalifo and the average Williams. Developing no academy player. For Cockerill fans, that is what he did
McCallum is a player of great promise and I suspect his best years are ahead of him. Was delighted when he returned to Scotland and his departure is all too sudden. Once Nel goes, I’m not sure where the quality comes from. There are no other stand-outs at tight head and this addition does not perceptively strengthen the squad in my view. That said, good luck to the lad and let’s hope the doubters are proved wrong. His father will be pleased that junior is returning to his old stomping ground.
dent post but if you don’t think Sebastian is an improvement on De Bruin and Williams and a geriatric Atalifo you’ve not watched much Edinburgh.
Have watched all the games thank you very much and as I say – other than Nel – there are no stand-out tight heads, the new boy included. It would be good to see some real quality coming in – and while we’re at it a new lock wouldn’t hurt for when Gilchrist retires.
Not the best signing by any means… but there are not many great tight-heads available or being developed. At least he is Scots-Qualified. Seemed reasonably solid against Argentina, if unspectacular around the field.
Would be nice if one of Sebastian, Walker, Mccallum, Rae or Berghan could start to step up as a top quality prop one day, they have all been underwhelming. Who steps up once Nel goes?
And promising academy player coming through?
I’d rather they had signed him before the Scarlets’ game. It might have saved a couple of points.
Again what the heck is S6 for?? Signing a mediocre journeyman instead of developing young Scottish talent yet again. Must be soul destroying for the youngsters who graft away to get little game time then see any chance of a contract snatched away. Not as if the money spent here is gaining a world class talent who will help develop young players around him.
if Nel retires after the RWC as is quite probably, Edinburgh do not have starting TH worthy of the name. Hence Sebastian.
The S6 is there to raise standards, it has. To develop players, it has, but that does not mean we can simply dive in and pick out a starting TH for pro rugby (and in reality with only 2 pro teams, a player ready for Scotland)
It is fair comment to say Edinburgh have made a right mess of succession for Nel etc. Losing Berghan, McCallum, missing out on the chance to sign Rae; preferring the useless De Bruin, aging and average Atalifo and the average Williams. Developing no academy player. For Cockerill fans, that is what he did
Staggeringly underwhelmed. Would far, far rather we’d keptnhold of McCallum.
given the current crop at Edinburgh, this is a very good signing indeed.
I;d rathe rthey had kept McCallum, as well, not instead. Age of Nel, Atalifo and quality of the rest means urgent action was needed