Follow the leader
Two caps for his country, two for the A team and a bag full of top class appearances for Munster gives him the right to dream. But the first-choice Munster hooker still figures he has to fight for everything. It’s the Munster way and one he has completely bought into.
And why wouldn’t he? It worked for his inspiration, O’Connell.
“It’s a massive honour for him [O’Connell],” he said. “It’s a massive honour to play alongside him, he brings such experience, such knowledge. He is the type of captain who leads by example, [he’s] a very inspirational character in terms of his preparation before games and certainly on the field.
“He knows what he is doing. He knows how to win games. He has the experience and knowledge and it’s great for younger guys underneath him to learn, particularly from my position as a hooker.
“It’s so comfortable being at lineouts knowing he knows what he’s doing and he knows how to win it and so long as I do my little bit then he will take care of the rest.”
But playing alongside such a giant of the game brings a bit of a fear factor as well, with Varley revealing what it might be like when players around O’Connell don’t perform.
“We’ll just say, you would want to do your little bit!
Varley added: “But, you know, any guy at his level has high standards and he pushes those high standards across the boards in Munster and he will do with Ireland and has done as a senior player.
“In this game you’re expected to do a certain amount of things; he leads by example so he sets the standards and you either fall in and follow and try to improve yourself and go with him or else you will be left behind, not only by him, but by all senior players at this level.”
Those standards are part of his psyche too. He knows what Munster can achieve by the end of May but recognises this time of year is merely a halfway point.
“From a personal point of view you set out your stall as a player that you want to be on the first XV and you want to push for a place on a regular basis and also at a higher level. I don’t think anything changes because the first of January comes, it’s still the same season and your targets are still the same.”
That personal graph brought Varley into the Irish World Cup squad by accident rather than design last October, and he acknowledges the ups and downs of sport led him to believe nothing is cast in stone.
“I think I probably had a slow start to the season. I was probably disappointed initially not to be selected in the World Cup panel, delighted then to be called down but I was disappointed not to get an opportunity to play.
“So it went on a roller coaster that way, but since then I’m happy with the way I have progressed, happy with the way the team has progressed in both Pro12 and certainly Heineken Cup to date.
“We have had a few failings that have been slightly embarrassing at times but I think that’s sport, these things occasionally and sadly happen at times but generally we’ve had a good season.”
That season could take a turn for the worse at Thomond Park tomorrow night against Treviso and Varley is under no illusions his side could be under the cosh.
Varley said: “Yeah, I think it is going to be a very tough game but a great game to have under our belts before the last two rounds of Heineken Cup.
“They’re [Treviso] a very good side; they’ve proven they have a very good track record this year, six wins, three of them on the road already against three good teams, so they’re coming over here with a purpose and a mission.
“It’s going to be a very tough game, they’ve a very solid scrum, a very good set-piece overall and a very physical pack so it’s going to be a big battle up front.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
