Varley grabs chance to put it all on line

NERVES should not be an issue for Damien Varley at Thomond Park tomorrow, at least nothing compared to throwing a first lineout ball at a returning Paul O’Connell.

Last weekend’s fog-bound Magners League encounter with Cardiff Blues marked the comeback of Munster captain O’Connell after a nine-month absence through injury and the lock made an instant impression by taking over the lineout leadership and calling the first one to himself at Thomond Park.

Cue a heap of pressure on Varley, the Munster hooker who considers the position a thankless task at the best of times.