Carmarthen kid Javan to make Scotland bow
AT then end of a week where Wales have been faced with a crisis at tighthead prop, so a No 3 from Carmarthen is set to make his Test debut.
But it will be the thistle rather than the three feathers that Javan Sebastian will be wearing on his chest.
The former Wales age-grade international has been named on the bench for Scotland’s Murrayfield meeting with Japan this afternoon and is odds on to come on and win his first cap.
That will seal an eventful and memorable week in which his partner, Kaylee, gave birth to their son, Marcellus.
It’s some story for the 27-yearold who has been a bit of a fringe figure for much of his time with the Scarlets, having been with them since 2013, coming up through the Academy.
His first-team opportunities have generally been limited and he has played much of his rugby at semi-pro Premiership level for Carmarthen Quins.
But last season proved something of a breakthrough campaign for him, as he made 17 appearances, playing the majority of PRO14 matches and also featuring in the Champions Cup.
His all-action performances didn’t go unnoticed by the Scotland management.
They were aware he was eligible through his father, Edwin, who hails from Edinburgh, while head coach Gregor Townsend knew Sebastian from a year-long spell he had with Glasgow.
So, the Scarlets tighthead was named in the squad for this summer games against England A, Georgia and Romania.
As it turned out, all three matches were cancelled due to Covid issues.
But he remained in Townsend’s thoughts and was called up last month ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.
Now he gets his chance, having been included among the replacements to face Japan.
“We feel Javan has massive potential,” said Townsend.
“He’s a very good scrummager already. He moves well, dynamic for a prop.
“I worked with him a few years ago at Glasgow.
“He was mainly playing for Ayr at the time. He played a couple of A games for us.
“He went pretty well at Ayr. He was a young player at the time and I think he won player of the season.
“His scrum stood out back then. He did need to work on his conditioning and he was a late developer like a lot of props are.
“He went back to Wales to play club rugby, I think with Carmarthen, then got a contract with Scarlets, and last season was excellent when he played well for them to get regular game-time.
“I approached him after the Six Nations because I genuinely felt he could play Test level, get to near the top of our depth chart, and he was delighted to be offered the opportunity.”
As a youngster, Sebastian represented Wales at U16s and U18s level and was about to turn out for the U20s when he injured his shoulder.
“I did it just before I went into camp with them,” he explained.
“At the time you’re devastated, but now, in a way it was a saving grace. I think I would have been captured at that stage.
“When Gregor phoned me and asked if I was willing to commit to Scotland, I jumped at the chance. I’m honoured to have the chance to represent them.
“The opportunity is here to play international rugby and I’m thrilled to have it.”
Commenting on his progress as a player, he said: “I’m not the finished article.
“I’ve still got a lot to learn and nothing comes easy.
“I’ve had some tough times and good games, so it’s all step by step for me.”