URC
Scotland prop makes capital move
Sebastian, 28, has been capped three times for Scotland, having made his international debut against Japan in November 2021, with the prop’s father born and raised in the Scottish capital.
Sebastian is well known to Scottish rugby fans on the west coast, where the tighthead impressed while playing for Ayr RFC during a season-long partnership contract with Glasgow Warriors in 2015/16.
On returning north of the border, Sebastian said: “Leaving Scarlets certainly wasn’t an easy decision and I’ve got a huge debt of gratitude to the club. 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.”
The Carmarthen product was part of the Scarlets academy and represented Wales at both U16 and U18 levels.
Following a stint at Scotstoun, Sebastian returned to Scarlets at the start of the 2017/18 season, making his then-PRO14 debut against Cheetahs in February 2019.
The prop enjoyed a breakout campaign at Parc y Scarlets in 2020/21 – featuring 17 times for the West Wales side, 10 as a starter.
That form earned Sebastian a call-up to the Scotland squad for Summer Test fixtures against England A, Georgia and Romania, all of which were eventually cancelled due to Covid-19.
The tighthead eventually made his international debut that autumn – coming on as replacement against Japan at BT Murrayfield – before featuring in two of three Tests against the Pumas in last summer’s tour to Argentina.
Sebastian made his 65th appearance for Scarlets from the bench in Saturday’s BKT United Rugby Championship clash against Edinburgh Rugby in Llanelli.
Head Coach Mike Blair, added: “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.
“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.”
URC
Tuipulotu to debut against Leinster
The abrasive midfielder will earn his club debut having made a summer move from NSW Waratahs, with fellow summer recruits Paul Hill (tighthead) and Ross Thompson (fly-half) also set to start against the Irishmen.
Head Coach Sean Everitt’s first selection of the season also sees Ben Muncaster complete his injury return, to start at number eight tomorrow night.
On the selection, Everitt said: “It’s exciting to be back In BKT URC action this week, and matches don’t get much tougher in this league than facing Leinster.
“We know the challenge they will bring and it’s up to us to rise to that. We can’t wait to get the season started in front of a packed-out Hive Stadium for round one.”
Everitt has named the same back-three that started last Friday’s Scottish Building Society pre-season match against Gloucester, with Wes Goosen at full-back flanked by Scotland internationalists Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe on the wings.
Tuipulotu is partnered by Matt Currie in the centres, fresh from earning his first Scotland caps during the recent summer test window, while Ali Price is reunitedwith former Glasgow teammate Thompson in the halves.
England internationalist Hill is joined in the front row by Scotland pair Pierre Schoeman (loosehead) and Dave Cherry (hooker), who made his debut against Leinster in 2018.
Grant Gilchrist leads the side from lock having been named as club co-captain for his 14th professional season, with Marshall Sykes again accompanying him in the second-row.
Muncaster’s impressive turn against Gloucester sees him rewarded with a starting berth, playing alongside club centurions Jamie Ritchie (blindside) and Hamish Watson (openside) in the back-row.
Edinburgh Rugby side to face Leinster at Hive Stadium in the BKT United Rugby Championship
Friday 20 September (kick-off 7.35pm) – live on Premier Sports
15. Wes Goosen (31)
14. Darcy Graham (64)
13. Mosese Tuipulotu*
12. Matt Currie (40)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (92)
10. Ross Thompson*
9. Ali Price (17)
1. Pierre Schoeman (115)
2. Dave Cherry (93)
3. Paul Hill*
4. Marshall Sykes (62)
5. Grant Gilchrist (205) CAPTAIN
6. Jamie Ritchie (114)
7. Hamish Watson (159)
8. Ben Muncaster (30)
Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman (20)
17. Boan Venter (66)
18. D’arcy Rae (5)
19. Jamie Hodgson (61)
20. Magnus Bradbury (113)
21. Ben Vellacott (61)
22. Ben Healy (23)
23. Emiliano Boffelli (40)
*Edinburgh Rugby debut
Unavailable: Luke Crosbie (neck), Nathan Sweeney (knee), James Lang (quad), Harry Paterson (foot/wound), Glen Young (pec), Sam Skinner (knee), Angus Williams (hamstring), Robin Hislop (knee)
URC
Eight debutants named in Cardiff squad for Zebre Parma
URC
Harry Sheridan commits future to Ulster Rugby
Harry Sheridan commits future to Ulster Rugby
Ulster Rugby forward, Harry Sheridan, has committed his future to the province, signing a new two-year-deal that will keep him playing in the white jersey until at least 2027.
The combative forward, who can play in the second or back row, had a significant impact in the Senior Men’s side last season, with his performances recognised when he was named the province’s Young Men’s Player of the Year for the 2023/24 season.
The Holywood man has seen a significant number of minutes since Head Coach, Richie Murphy, came into the club, and has been trusted to play a key role in the squad.
Sheridan played his club rugby with Civil Service NI RFC, and schools’ rugby for Sullivan Upper School.
He would join Ulster Rugby’s sub-Academy after playing rugby for Trinity College in Dublin, where he studied.
The powerful forward, has represented Ireland at U20s level, competing in the 2021 Six Nations Championship.
On the news of Sheridan’s contract extension, Ulster Rugby’s Head of Recruitment and Rugby Operations, Bryn Cunningham said:
“We are delighted to secure Harry’s future with this extension, as we see him being an integral part of the team for the present and future.
“He is a throwback of a player, a forward who disrupts the opposition, is aggressive and who brings a proper physical presence for us. At 22-years-old, he is showing great potential and has grown in stature over the past season, showing his versatility at lock and flanker.
“We look forward to seeing how he develops in the seasons ahead in an Ulster jersey.”
On the news on his new deal, Sheridan added:
“I’m so happy to sign for a further two years. Last season was a huge year for me as I got more game-time in the senior side, and it was a massive learning curve in a season full of ups and downs.
I’m looking forward to improving my game and rolling into this year where I finished the last one. We have a great forward pack that I love training and playing alongside.
I am really enjoying the environment and going into training ready to work and learn.
It’s a perfect start to the season for me and I can’t wait to get stuck into another season.”
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