Stephen Varney

Last updated

Stephen Varney
Stephen Varney 2023.jpg
Varney in 2023
Full nameStephen Lorenzo Varney
Born (2001-05-16) 16 May 2001 (age 24)
Carmarthen, Wales
Height178 cm (5 ft 10 in) [1]
Weight78 kg (172 lb; 12 st 4 lb) [1]
School Hartpury College
Rugby union career
Position Scrum-half
Current team Vannes
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2019–2024 Gloucester 73 (45)
2024–2025 Vannes 16 (20)
2025– Exeter Chiefs 7 (5)
Correct as of 25 Nov 2025
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2020 Italy U20s 2 (5)
2020– Italy 36 (32)
Correct as of 25 Nov 2025

Stephen Lorenzo Varney (born 16 May 2001) is a professional rugby union player who primarily plays scrum-half for Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership Rugby. Although Welsh-born, he represents Italy at international level, having made his test debut against Scotland in 2020 during the Autumn Nations Cup. Varney previously played for Hartpury. [2] [3] He is a fluent Welsh speaker. [4]

Contents

Varney comes from Rhoshill, Pembrokeshire, and played for Crymych RFC. [5] In 2020 he was named for Italy U20 squad, for which he qualifies through his Italian mother, Valeria. [6] Varney was named in the Italy Under 20 squad for the 2020 Six Nations Under 20s Championship. [7]

Varney made his international debut for Italy, from the bench, in 2020 in the Autumn Nations Cup against Scotland. [8] He was named in the Italy's 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. [9]

On 20 October 2024, Varney would leave Gloucester with immediate effect to join French side Vannes in the Top 14 competition. [10] On 20 March 2025, Varney returned to the Premiership in England to join Exeter Chiefs for the 2025–26 season. [11]

In December 2025, Varney signed a contract extension with Exeter Chiefs. [12] [13]

Statistics

List of international test tries

As of 17 December 2025 [14]

TryOpposing teamLocationVenueCompetitionDateResultScore
1Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina Treviso, Italy Stadio Comunale di Monigo 2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals 13 November 2021Loss16 - 37
2IRFU flag.svg  Ireland Rome, Italy Stadio Olimpico 2023 Six Nations 25 February 2023Loss20 - 34
3Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Treviso, Italy Stadio Comunale di Monigo 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches 26 August 2023Win42 – 21
4Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Rome, Italy Stadio Olimpico 2024 Six Nations 9 March 2024Win31 - 29
5IRFU flag.svg  Ireland Rome, Italy Stadio Olimpico 2025 Six Nations 15 March 2025Loss17 - 22
6Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia Windhoek, Namibia Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium 2025 July Internationals 27 June 2025Win6 - 73

References

  1. 1 2 "Stephen Varney player profile". rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  2. ↑ "The Welsh teen who's just guided Italy to victory over Wales!". 25 April 2019.
  3. ↑ "Player Profile".
  4. ↑ "Italy v Wales: Gareth Davies and Stephen Varney aim for relative Six Nations dominance". BBC Sport. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
  5. ↑ "Stephen Varney, a Welsh speaker making his first Test start against Wales". 4 December 2020.
  6. ↑ Dave Parkinson (13 October 2020). "Wales and Italy come calling for former Crymych rugby stars". Tivyside Advertiser. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  7. ↑ "ITALIA U20, GLI AZZURRINI CONVOCATI PER LE PRIME DUE PARTITE DEL SEI NAZIONI U20" (in Italian). Italy Rugby. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  8. ↑ "Italy 17 Scotland 28 RECAP: Bonus point win for Gregor Townsend's men in Autumn Nations Cup opener". Scotsman. 14 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  9. ↑ "ITALIA, I 33 AZZURRI PER LA RUGBY WORLD CUP "FRANCIA 2023". Federazione Italiana Rugby (in Italian). 22 August 2023.
  10. ↑ "Stephen Varney exits Gloucester with immediate effect". Rugby Pass. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  11. ↑ "Exeter Chiefs confirm signing of Italy star Stephen Varney". Rugby Pass. 20 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  12. ↑ "Italian international Varney settles in Devon with new contract". www.exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  13. ↑ "Stephen Varney: Exeter's Italy scrum-half signs new deal". BBC Sport. 23 December 2025. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  14. ↑ "Stephen Varney". 17 December 2025.
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