Damien Varley reveals tears at Munster exit

Former Munster hooker Damien Varley revealed he broke down in tears in a taxi after learning he would have to retire from rugby because of a debilitating foot injury.

And now the 31-year-old is focused on building up the strength in his foot to prepare for a very different career path.

Varley, who won three Ireland caps after making his debut against Australia in 2010, came off the bench during Munster’s 34-23 win over Leinster in the Pro12 last October but that was to be his last professional rugby appearance. An operation on the injury sustained in training in 2013 and a period of rehabilitation failed to fix the problem.