Former Gloucester scrum-half Stephen Varney has extended his stay with the Exeter Chiefs, signing a new, longer-term deal with the Devon-based club.<\/p>\n
Stephen Varney extends contract with Exeter Chiefs<\/p>\n
His return to form has resulted in international honours
\nHe\u2019s secured the number nine jersey at the Chiefs
\nRob Baxter\u2019s been \u201cthrilled\u201d with Varney since arriving<\/p>\n
The Italian international has been in fine form for the Chiefs since arriving from French side Vannes, where he spent a season playing in the Top 14 before his side was relegated after winning just one game from the sixteen he played.<\/p>\n
His return to the English Premiership<\/a> has been fruitful for the 24-year-old, as he\u2019s settled into life on the south-west coast with some sterling performances in the new jersey.<\/p>\n His growth has also been acknowledged by the national set-up, with Varney now regaining the starting number nine shirt for the Azzurri, most recently performing against the Wallabies and the Springboks.<\/p>\n Varney\u2019s closest rivals for the Italian number nine shirt are Martin Page-Rello and Alessandro Garbisi, but both players appear to be playing second fiddle to the in-form Varney.<\/p>\n Page-Rello, the more senior of the three, plies his trade in Bordeaux, partnering with the incredible Matthieu Jalibert. But in international colours, his gametime is limited, reserved to just three substitute appearances in this year\u2019s Autumn internationals.<\/p>\n Garbisi, likewise, has had limited time on the field, appearing in just the one match for Italy this Autumn, when he played just over a half in their victory over Chile.<\/p>\n With Varney\u2019s new side, Exeter Chiefs flying high in the league, and Varney having secured the starting spot, the Welsh-born star is very much set to push on and make that Italian shirt his own.<\/p>\n Opinion: Welsh rugby does not need to rediscover its past, rather it needs to design its future<\/a><\/p>\n Chiefs on fire<\/p>\n Director of rugby Rob Baxter said: \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled Stephen<\/a> is extending his contract. He came here for a year to see how things go and he\u2019s had a fantastic impact for us so far this season.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can see he\u2019s a quality player and he\u2019s been an important part of why we\u2019ve gone well. His individual skills of passing, kicking and reading the game partnered with his great pace have been key.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s clearly very passionate about doing well for the club and doing well for his teammates. He\u2019s fully invested in what is going on. He\u2019s probably the guy who celebrates tries harder than anyone else, and that\u2019s fantastic to see that we\u2019ve got players who are passionate about what we\u2019re doing. So, I think he\u2019s a very important signing for us going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n Varney is also looking forward to what\u2019s ahead, particularly considering the impressive start to the season that Exeter<\/a> have had, currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premiership table.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m delighted to be re-signing with Chiefs,\u201d said the playmaker.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough I\u2019ve only been here for this season, it\u2019s been a place I\u2019ve really enjoyed from day one.\u201d<\/p>\n