Stephen Varney
Varney in 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Stephen Lorenzo Varney | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 16 May 2001 Carmarthen, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 78 kg (172 lb; 12 st 4 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Hartpury College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. He is a fluent Welsh speaker.
Varney comes from Rhoshill, Pembrokeshire, and played for Crymych RFC. In 2020 he was named for Italy U20 squad, for which he qualifies through his Italian mother, Valeria. Varney was named in the Italy Under 20 squad for the 2020 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.
Varney made his international debut for Italy, from the bench, in 2020 in the Autumn Nations Cup against Scotland. He was named in the Italy's 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
On 20 October 2024, Varney would leave Gloucester with immediate effect to join French side Vannes in the Top 14 competition. On 20 March 2025, Varney returned to the Premiership in England to join Exeter Chiefs for the 2025–26 season.
In December 2025, Varney signed a contract extension with Exeter Chiefs.