Varney’s senior Italian call-up seems to spell

QUIETLY, a potential Wales selection light went out this week when most of us were looking elsewhere, writes MARK ORDERS.

It may not have seemed overly significant that a 19-year-old scrum-half still developing his game had earned a call-up for Italy’s senior squad.

But Stephen Varney, the youngster in question, was born in Pembrokeshire and grew up in Rhoshill, a few miles south of Cardigan, with his dad being former Neath flanker Adrian Varney.

Varney junior could have played for Wales, but he qualifies for Italy through his mother Valeria and has opted to commit to them.

It wasn’t a surprise, because he featured for Italy U20s against Wales U20s in the Six Nations earlier this year, a turn of events that pointed to the track he was on. But it’s still a potential loss. While Wales have depth at scrum-half, with Rhys Webb, Gareth Davies and Tomos Williams heading the field, Varney is one of the brightest up-and-coming No. 9s on the scene, evidenced by his recent display for Gloucester against London Irish in the Gallagher Premiership. The new Cherry and White showed not just maturity to make good decisions but also confidence and skill.

Varney displayed a vision to see space that set him apart on the night. It was the same against Wales in the U20s Six Nations in January.

The Azzurri scrum-half that evening controlled proceedings with an air of class, knowing what to do and having the skill to back it up.

A decent goalkeeper in football, he also played golf as a youngster, taking time out to concentrate on the sport before eventually returning to rugby.

He had started out in the junior ranks at Crymych, the renowned club that nestles in the Preseli mountains, for whom John Davies figured and the legendary Brian Williams reputedly played his final game.

Varney had given clear evidence of his quality when winning the Welsh Schools U16s Cup with Ysgol y Preseli in 2017.

Andrew Phillips, an age-grade

coach at Crymych RFC, coached him from a young age and said his talent shone through.

“I coached him over a period of 12 years and you could always tell he had it in him to become a good player,” said Phillips.

“He packed in for a while to concentrate on his golf but he returned after a short time away.“he’s the same age as my son and he still rings home to chat with him after a game, which says a lot about the type of boy he is.

“He hasn’t forgotten his roots. I know he enjoyed his time with us.”

Stephen Lorenzo Varney, to give the new Italy squad member his full name, had a couple of outings for Scarlets West U16s, but wasn’t selected for their pathway, hence his decision to take a break from the game.

But he got his rugby career back on track, headed for Hartpury College and hasn’t looked back.

He’s a Welsh speaker who’s also learning Italian.

“We went up to see him playing in Colwyn Bay for Italy U20s against Wales earlier this year and he was put on the spot by being asked to do an interview in Welsh,” laughed Phillips. “He came across to us and said he’d mixed a few words up, presumably because he doesn’t use the language so much any more he’s based in England, but when he was talking to the boys in Welsh he was as fluent as ever.

“It’s great for him that he’s gone as far as he has so quickly.

“Off the field, he’s a quiet lad but he’s a big talker on it, bossing things.

“The whole family are nice people.

“Everyone around here is pleased for Steve.”