Welsh-born Varney hopes Netflix series can end doubts over Italy credentials

Stephen Varney will earn his 27th Italy cap if he comes off the bench against France on Sunday and the Welsh-born scrumhalf feels he shouldn't need to prove his Italian heritage at this stage of his career, but maybe his Netflix appearance can help.

Varney at 22-years-old is already playing in his fourth Six Nations Championship and despite being involved with Italy since Under-18 level, some still question his right to play for the country.

"A lot of Italians probably say I'm not Italian, but what right have they to say that because I've got Italian in my blood, I have family still in Italy, so I find it quite disrespectful," Varney told Reuters.

"I'm proud to play for my mother's country."

Perhaps, if they realised his middle name is Lorenzo, his Italian roots would be clearer, and Varney's mother's parents both came from Italy separately before meeting in Wales.

"My great-grandfather was a prisoner of war, he got caught in Africa by the British army and he was brought over to Henllan in west Wales," Varney said.

"After the war he got released and brought his family over, which included my grandmother, and then my grandfather came over when he was 17 to work and they met here."

The Netflix series "Full Contact" featured Varney and the crew spent time in Wales with his family, something which should open some Italian eyes to his roots and also to the sport itself.

"Hopefully, that showed my Italian grandparents and hopefully that will bond well with the Italian fans," he said.

"It was a good experience, probably a good thing for rugby, because it needs that publicity, and I think it's good for Italian rugby.

"It got some really good exposure in the series and hopefully more Italians watch it and then get involved in the sport,