Stephen Varney

Stephen Varney
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]
SchoolHartpury College
Rugby union career
PositionScrum-half
Current teamVannes
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2019–2024Gloucester73(45)
2024–2025Vannes16(20)
2025–Exeter Chiefs7(5)
Correct as of 25 Nov 2025
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2020Italy U20s2(5)
2020–Italy36(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]

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
1 ArgentinaTreviso, ItalyStadio Comunale di Monigo2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals13 November 2021Loss16 - 37
2 IrelandRome, ItalyStadio Olimpico2023 Six Nations25 February 2023Loss20 - 34
3 JapanTreviso, ItalyStadio Comunale di Monigo2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches26 August 2023Win42 – 21
4 ScotlandRome, ItalyStadio Olimpico2024 Six Nations9 March 2024Win31 - 29
5 IrelandRome, ItalyStadio Olimpico2025 Six Nations15 March 2025Loss17 - 22
6 NamibiaWindhoek, NamibiaHage Geingob Rugby Stadium2025 July Internationals27 June 2025Win6 - 73

References

  1. ^ a b "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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