Exeter Chiefs’ rise from bottom but one in the Premiership to the final at Twickenham followed a number of shrewd signings with scrum-half Stephen Varney arguably proving the most consequential.

Australia flanker Tom Hooper quickly established himself as a fan favourite at Sandy Park, a latter-day Dave Ewers, Wallaby centre Len Ikitau, either side of an injury lay-off, showed why he is regarded as one of the leading midfielders in the world while Italy lock Andrew Zambonin ruled the lineout and proved a handful with or without the ball.
But Italy international Varney was the piece Exeter ha...