Varley ready to grab his opportunity

When Jerry Flannery’s MRI scan showed the hooker had torn his calf muscle it was a bitter blow for the Limerick man but it has presented his Munster teammate Damien Varley with an unexpected opportunity to showcase his talents at rugby’s premier stage.

Like Geordan Murphy and Shane Jennings, whose inclusions came as a result of injuries to Felix Jones and David Wallace, Varley finds himself in a privileged position following another’s misfortune.

With Flannery named as part of Ireland’s squad to face the Wallabies on Saturday, Varley had no reason to even consider his involvement in New Zealand until Declan Kidney’s name flashed across his phone this morning.

"Little did I think when I woke up this morning I was going to get that call,” he told MunsterRugby.ie

“I had heard about Fla this morning. I read it on some of the news websites, that he was after pulling up in training with a bit of a calf strain and that he was been sent for an MRI.

“But he'd still been named on the replacements bench. So I didn't really think much of it."

"Obviously my heart goes out to Jerry. You wouldn't wish injury on anyone.

“But it is the nature of the sport. One man's loss is another man's gain. I certainly wish Jerry a speedy recovery.”

Playing in a World Cup is any international rugby player’s dream but given the urgency of the situation Varley must process the situation while getting everything in order to reach the Irish camp as quickly as possible.

"In terms of practicalities, I'm cleared by our medical and fitness guys.

“So I'm heading up to Dublin in the morning and flying from Dublin Airport tomorrow evening.

“I call into IRFU in the morning to pick up gear and various things. I don't know what route I'll be taking yet but I hope to arrive in New Zealand on Saturday.

"When I saw Declan's name pop up on my phone I got very excited, I have to say.

“I’ve been on a bit of a high since, a lot of things going on in my mind.

“It's lousy on Jerry to get injured especially at this stage in his career but you know I think it's a brilliant opportunity for myself personally and I'm going to grab it with both hands.

"This opportunity doesn't come around too often. And when you see guys get injured and how quickly things happen, the minute you get a phone call like this, you're presented with an opportunity you need to go grab it and make the best of it."