Varley must battle with close friend Sherry for hooker spot

Damien Varley may be a close friend and Garryowen clubmate of Michael Sherry but intends to fight him tooth and nail as first choice Munster hooker.

The 30 year-old Varley was a relatively late arrival on the provincial scene, having played club rugby for a number of years before turning professional at London Wasps. Having created a big impression across channel, he gladly answered the Munster call and made his debut against Ospreys in May 2006. Sherry, 25, came directly from the AIL into the pro game and having made his first appearance against Connacht at Thomond Park in December 2009, picked up an Irish cap during the summer tour of the US and Canada. Both men have served Munster well over the years leaving coach Rob Penney with some difficult choices to make.

“Mike and myself are not exempt from competition or pressure,” Varley smiles. “We are battling it out and I think we are making better players of each other so we’ll see what happens over the coming weeks. I’m confident in my abilities and what I’m doing and so let’s wait and see what the coaches think.”