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Stephen Varney exits Gloucester with immediate effect
By Ian Cameron
Italy international Stephen Varney has signed for French Top 14 side Vannes with immediate effect – as first reported by RugbyPass last week.
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The 23-year-old scrum-half – who has been capped 30 times by Italy – will join the Brittany-based club ahead of mid-season as they battle to make a case for themselves in the Top 14.
“I am delighted and honoured to have the opportunity to join RC Vannes,” Varney told the Vannes club website this weekend. “I want to help the club achieve its objectives and I am really looking forward to getting started with the whole group.”
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Welsh-born Varney qualifies for Italy through his Italian mother and has been part of the Gloucester team since 2020.
Despite signing a contract extension in April 2023, he hasn’t made any appearances for the Cherry and Whites so far this season. Gloucester head coach George Skivington is reasonably well-equipped in the scrum-half department, having recruited Wales international Tomos Williams from Cardiff during the summer.
Skivington also has Caolan Englefield and Charlie Chapman as options. This effectively means that West Country side can effectively afford to release the Italian halfback as a result.
Varny’s new club Vannes have been promoted into the Top 14 for the first time this season but have so far struggled in the French top flight. They initially relied on New Zealand scrum-half Michael Ruru but he has not played since their win over Lyon.
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Jules Le Bail has since been the preferred starter, with Alexandre Gouaux providing support off the bench.
With Varney’s arrival coach Jean-Noel Spitzer is hoping to improve results. The Top 14 newbies currently sit bottom of the league with just one win from seven games.
Varney was previously linked with a move to Cardiff. Vannes will face Gloucester in the EPCR Challenge Cup in December, adding an extra bit of spice to Varney’s transfer.
