Stephen Varney

{{short description|Italy international rugby union footballer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Stephen Varney

| image = File:Stephen Varney 2023.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Varney in 2023

| fullname = Stephen Lorenzo Varney

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|05|16|df=y}}

| birth_place = Carmarthen, Wales

| height = {{convert|178|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/teams/italy/player/69015|title=Stephen Varney player profile|publisher=rugbyworldcup.com|access-date=7 October 2023}}

| weight = {{convert|78|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}

| school = Hartpury College

| university =

| relatives =

| position = Scrum-half

| currentclub = Vannes

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2019–2024

| clubs1 = Gloucester

| apps1 = 67

| points1 = 47

| years2 = 2024–2025

| clubs2 = Vannes

| apps2 = 7

| points2 = 5

| years3 = 2025–

| clubs3 = Exeter Chiefs

| apps3 = 0

| points3 = 0

| repyears1 = 2020

| repteam1 = Italy U20s

| repcaps1 = 2

| reppoints1 = 5

| repyears2 = 2020–

| repteam2 = Italy

| repcaps2 = 32

| reppoints2 = 20

| clubupdate = 18 January 2025

| repupdate = 16 March 2024

| ru_sevensnationalyears1 =

| ru_sevensnationalteam1 =

| ru_sevensnationalcomp1 =

| ru_sevensupdate =

}}

Stephen Lorenzo Varney (born 16 May 2001) is a professional rugby union player who primarily plays scrum-half for Vannes in the Top 14. Although Welsh-born, he represents Italy at international level, having made his test debut against Scotland in 2020 during the Autumn Nations Cup. Varney has previously played for clubs such as Hartpury in the past.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/remarkable-tale-welsh-teenager-whos-16178210|title = The Welsh teen who's just guided Italy to victory over Wales!|date = 25 April 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbyclubvannes.bzh/effectif/stephen-varney/|title =Player Profile}}

Varney comes from Rhoshill, Pembrokeshire, and played for Crymych RFC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/hollywood-tale-stephen-varney-welsh-19397842|title = Stephen Varney, a Welsh speaker making his first Test start against Wales|date = 4 December 2020}}

In 2020 he was named for Italy U20 squad, for which he qualifies through his Italian mother, Valeria.{{cite news|publisher=Tivyside Advertiser|url=https://www.tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/news/18789777.wales-italy-come-calling-former-crymych-rugby-stars/|title=Wales and Italy come calling for former Crymych rugby stars|author=Dave Parkinson|date=13 October 2020|access-date=13 October 2020}}

Varney was named in the Italy Under 20 squad for the 2020 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.{{cite news|url=https://www.federugby.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14255:italia-u20-gli-azzurrini-convocati-per-le-prime-due-partite-del-sei-nazioni-u20&catid=112:italia-u-20&Itemid=1025|title=ITALIA U20, GLI AZZURRINI CONVOCATI PER LE PRIME DUE PARTITE DEL SEI NAZIONI U20|publisher=Italy Rugby|date=17 January 2020|access-date=12 June 2020|language=Italian}}

Varney made his international debut for Italy, from the bench, in 2020 in the Autumn Nations Cup against Scotland.{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/italy-17-scotland-28-recap-bonus-point-win-gregor-townsends-men-autumn-nations-cup-opener-3035955|publisher=Scotsman|title=Italy 17 Scotland 28 RECAP: Bonus point win for Gregor Townsend's men in Autumn Nations Cup opener|date=14 November 2020|access-date=18 November 2020}} He was named in the Italy's 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.federugby.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17652:italia-i-33-azzurri-per-la-rugby-world-cup-qfrancia-2023q&catid=109:italia&Itemid=1022|title=ITALIA, I 33 AZZURRI PER LA RUGBY WORLD CUP "FRANCIA 2023|website=Federazione Italiana Rugby |date=22 August 2023 |language=it}}

On 20 October 2024, Varney would leave Gloucester with immediate effect to join French side Vannes in the Top 14 competition.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/stephen-varney-exits-gloucester-with-immediate-effect/ |publisher=Rugby Pass |title=Stephen Varney exits Gloucester with immediate effect |date=20 October 2024|access-date=20 October 2024}} On 20 March 2025, Varney returns to the Premiership in England to join Exeter Chiefs for the 2025–26 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/exeter-chiefs-confirm-signing-of-italy-star-stephen-varney/ |publisher=Rugby Pass|title=Exeter Chiefs confirm signing of Italy star Stephen Varney |date=20 March 2025|access-date=28 March 2025}}