Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 1, 2026

Stephen Varney

Stephen Lorenzo Varney 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.

Last revised
Jul 1, 2026
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Stephen Varney
Varney in 2023
Full nameStephen Lorenzo Varney
Born (2001-05-16) 16 May 2001
Carmarthen, Wales
Height178 cm (5 ft 10 in)1
Weight78 kg (172 lb; 12 st 4 lb)1
SchoolHartpury College
Rugby union career
Position Scrum-half
Current team Exeter Chiefs
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019–2024 Gloucester 73 (45)
2024–2025 Vannes 16 (20)
2025– Exeter Chiefs 7 (5)
Correct as of 25 Nov 2025
International career
Years Team Apps (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.23 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.1213

Statistics

List of international test tries

As of 17 December 202514

Try Opposing team Location Venue Competition Date Result Score
1  Argentina Treviso, Italy Stadio Comunale di Monigo 2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals 13 November 2021 Loss 16 - 37
2  Ireland Rome, Italy Stadio Olimpico 2023 Six Nations 25 February 2023 Loss 20 - 34
3  Japan Treviso, Italy Stadio Comunale di Monigo 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches 26 August 2023 Win 42 – 21
4  Scotland Rome, Italy Stadio Olimpico 2024 Six Nations 9 March 2024 Win 31 - 29
5  Ireland Rome, Italy Stadio Olimpico 2025 Six Nations 15 March 2025 Loss 17 - 22
6  Namibia Windhoek, Namibia Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium 2025 July Internationals 27 June 2025 Win 6 - 73
References

References

  1. "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.
External links