In Pics: Damien Varley Through The Years

Season 2014/15 saw Munster and Ireland’s Damien Varley announce his retirement in February due to injury. In our latest gallery we look back at the hooker’s time at the province that spanned seven seasons.

Impressing at club level for Garryowen, the then 22 year old made his debut for the province against Ospreys in the 2006 Celtic League with his second appearance coming against Scarlets less than a week later.

However the former St. Munchin’s player would have to wait until 2009 to earn the third of what would ultimately become 121 appearances in the famous red jersey. In search of top level game time Varley moved to London Wasps in 2008 and crossed for a try on his debut against Leicester Tigers. It was a move that proved fruitful as the Clare-man would return to his native province the following season, making 22 appearances including his Heineken Cup debut against Benetton Treviso at Thomond Park in October 2009.

In subsequent seasons he started in Munster's historic win over Australia at Thomond Park in November 2010 and was the starting hooker in the province's Magners League Grand Final win against Leinster in May 2011.

The forward’s leadership ability also came to the fore at Munster and in the 2013/14 season he captained the side on 8 occasions, including the 2014 Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulon in Marseille.

One of ten players in the 2014/15 squad to have reached the 100 cap milestone for Munster, his impressiveness at provincial level was also rewarded with Irish representation, winning his first Ireland cap against Australia in June 2010 and making a further two Irish appearances, both against Argentina, with the most recent taking place in June 2014. The 31-year-old also has 4 Ireland ‘A’ caps.

CLICK HERE to see our gallery of Damien Varley through the years at Munster.