Wasp Tom Varndell hunting down Steve Hanley’s record
The former Shark currently holds the record with 75 tries but Varndell’s latest score at Sandy Park on the weekend took him to 69. At this rate, the record will his by the end of the season.
He told The Rugby Paper: “I’m hunting it down and it would be brilliant if it happens this season. It’s the best start I’ve ever had to a season and hopefully I can keep going.
“I’ve scored 14 in a season twice with Leicester so that’s a record I’ll try to beat this year. But If I beat that record, I would also beat Steve’s record which would be a great achievement.
“I’m only 26 but Tom Varndell – most prolific Premiership try-scorer ever – sounds pretty cool.”
Hanley’s former teammate Mark Cueto looked to be the one who would break the record first when he reached 70 tries at the end of the 2011 season but he has only crossed the white wash four tries since and is still one behind old pal Hanley.
Meanwhile, Varndell’s new found form took him from seventh on the all time try-scoring chart to third, overtaking former Wasp Paul Sackey on Saturday.
His partner in crime Christian Wade has also caused mayhem in the Premiership defences with five tries of his own to make the Wasps duo the most potent pair in the league.
But Varndell is adamant he can score tries only because his teammates create the space for him, a mix which could take Wasps back to the submit of English rugby.
He said: “We’re quite fortunate with Christian to have such a talented back line. With the likes of Joe Simpson and Elliot Daly, there’s a lot of threat and it eventually create space for us as the defence has to hold back.
“Our back row is also great for us. When you have runners like Billy Vunipola and Ashley Johnson running at you, the defence has to be on their guards and once the space is there we can go wide.
“We’re building in the right direction. If we can keep going and keep our composure, I honestly think we can be a Top Four side.”
NICK VERDIER
