Rugby-Italy scrumhalf Varney joins Exeter Chiefs

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Italy v Ireland - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - March 15, 2025 Italy's Stephen Varney celebrates after scoring a try REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo

(Reuters) - Italy scrumhalf Stephen Varney has signed for Exeter Chiefs from French side Vannes ahead of next season, the English Premiership club said on Thursday.

Welsh-born Varney previously made 43 Premiership appearances for Gloucester but after being out of favour this season, which saw him omitted from Italy's squad for the November internationals, he joined Vannes in October.