Lessons from All Black Aaron Smith and France have transformed Stephen Varney

Summer signing Stephen Varney believes the season he spent in France with Vannes last year has contributed hugely to his outstanding form for Exeter.

Last week, the Carmarthen-born scrum-half picked up the Players’ Player of the Year award in his first season at the club and then celebrated by scoring a brilliant solo try in the 32-12 win over Saracens, which secured the Chiefs a place in the play-offs.

The 25-year-old’s half-back partnership with Harvey Skinner has been one of the success stories of the PREM, with Italian international Varney putting in a series of commanding performances.

Life as an honorary Breton suited him well and turned him into the PREM’s equivalent of a petit général.

“Obviously, I played in France last year so I learnt a lot out there, a lot of things went through nine, he’s the general out there, so that probably helps,” he said at Tuesday’s media briefing.

“The nine is almost the leader on the pitch – he runs the pack, he runs the backline. So, bringing that to the Premiership, where the 10 runs the show a bit more, it probably helps the pack out, as well as the 10.

“I had Michael Ruru out there, who was a nine at Vannes with me. The way he played he was more of a physical nine, so that helped me in that regard because when I was at Gloucester I probably wasn’t as physical as I’d have liked to be.”

Varney has been at the heart of Exeter’s renaissance from ninth place to third in the space of a season. No player has passed or kicked the ball more in the PREM.

So is he in the form of his life? “I would say I am playing quite well, but I don’t really look at it like that because a couple of years ago, I probably thought I was playing good rugby,” reasoned Varney, who missed most of the Six Nations due to a torn abductor muscle.

“I just want to get better every year, and never be complacent; every session and every day, I am trying to get better.

“I like our game plan, I like how we play, it’s enjoyable, and the boys buy into how we play, and that makes my job a lot easier, especially when they give me front-foot ball. Playing behind a strong forward pack is brilliant.”

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Gallagher Premiership

Bath

26 - 27

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Exeter Chiefs

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Turning his thoughts to Saturday’s play-off clash against Bath at The Rec, Varney is looking forward to “a great battle.’

And while he admits to be a big admirer of opposite number, Ben Spencer, former All Black Aaron Smith is his ultimate role model.

“Aaron Smith, he was my idol growing up. Just the way he passed the ball, it’s next level, and he was such an energy around that All Black team. Every try they scored, he was there celebrating (something Rob Baxter has instilled in the Chiefs). I have learnt a lot from just watching him play.

“When I was 16, in my first year at Hartpury, I messaged him on Instagram. I sent him a video of me passing, asking him for some tips and stuff, and fair play to him, he messaged me back, so that’s a good memory.

“During lockdown, I messaged him again asking me for more tips and, to be fair, he came back again, and he said it looks like you’re doing really well. And then I met him at the World Cup, and played against him, in 2023. I was gobsmacked, so that was a special moment, although he stepped me and scored a try.

“I definitely strive to be like he was as a player – all the things he was good at: sniping, passing, kicking … everything.”