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Stuart Barnes (born 22 November 1962 in Grays, Thurrock in the county of Essex) is a former English rugby union footballer, and now sports commentator for Sky Sports.

Barnes played fly-half for Newport Gwent Dragons, Bristol, Bath; and represented England and the British Lions on international level.

Biography

Born in Essex, Barnes was educated in Bassaleg Comprehensive, Newport, captaining Newport Schools, Gwent Schools, and Wales Schools at both Intermediate and Senior age groups. He studied at St. Edmund Hall, University of Oxford where he won three rugby Blues, captained the team and played against Cambridge University's Rob Andrew in the varsity match ^[1].

During University, Barnes played club rugby for Newport Gwent Dragons, before transferring to Bristol as a result of his decision to play internationally for England, appearing in two of Bristol’s Cup Final matches and winning one. He also joined the Bristol and West building society, as these were the days of amateur rugby - eventually rising to be manager of the Brislington branch.

He left Bristol R.F.C. amid much local controversy for their bitter west country rivals Bath, where he arrived aged 22: "disaffected with England and, with my volatile character, I could easily have drifted out of the game altogether. At the time the big joke was that I'd had more clubs than Jack Nicklaus - Newport, Bristol and Bath by 22 and people doubted my character, they thought of me as being very fickle and at Bath I found what I wanted - a rugby home." ^[2]. His first Bath game was on the 7 September, 1985 v Plymouth Albion on the Rec. He would later captain Bath to an English teams first League/Cup double.

International career

While at Bristol, his England debut was against Australia in November 1984, and also represented the British Lions on international level. He gained only ten caps, but after being eclipsed by the overall play of Rob Andrew, he played his last international match in 1993. He was considered by many to be a better attacking player than his rivals and if playing in the professional era would have surely received more caps.

Barnes played for Barbarians on eleven occasions, including the Hong Kong 7’s in 1982 and 1989. He scored 2 tries, 19 conversions and 8 penalties (70 points) in Barbarians colours.

Life after playing

Barnes resigned from the Bristol and West building society in 1993, and at the same time retired from rugby.

He became a freelance writer/reporter with both the Telegraph and the Bristol Mercury, and wrote his autobiography, entitled "Smelling of Roses" - a classic of rugby writing ^[3]

As the professional era commenced, Barnes became a more familiar face as a summariser and pundit on both television and radio for the BBC, before securing a permanent position on Sky Sports's coverage of the Guinness Premiership.

Personal life

Nicknamed "The Barrel", he is officially the fattest man ever in the England squad. When tested in the England team, his body fat percentage was 3% higher than that of Jeff Probyn in second place. He admits to disliking training, and as a reason why he would never be credible as a coach/why he prefers writing.

He prides himself on his devotion to Bacchus and Bob Dylan, and counts amongst his friends wine expert Keith Floyd. He is an ardent Arsenal F.C. fan.

References

External links

This United Kingdom rugby union biography is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[1] ttp://www.varsity.co.uk/archive/629.pdf#search=%22%22stuart%20barnes%22%20wife%20children%22

[2] ttp://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s105/st74420.htm

[3] ttp://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s105/st74420.htm

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 Born in Essex, Barnes was educated in Bassaleg Comprehensive, [[Newport]], captaining Newport Schools, Gwent Schools, and Wales Schools at both Intermediate and Senior age groups. He studied at [[St Edmund Hall, Oxford|St. Edmund Hall]], [[University of Oxford]] where he won three rugby Blues, captained the team and played against [[Cambridge University]]'s [[Rob Andrew]] in the varsity match <ref>http://www.varsity.co.uk/archive/629.pdf#search=%22%22stuart%20barnes%22%20wife%20children%22</ref>.
-During University, Barnes played club rugby for [[Newport Gwent Dragons]], before transferring to [[Bristol Rugby|Bristol]] as a result of his decision to play internationally for England, appearing in two of Bristol’s Cup Final matches and winning one.
+During University, Barnes played club rugby for [[Newport Gwent Dragons]], before transferring to [[Bristol Rugby|Bristol]] as a result of his decision to play internationally for England, appearing in two of Bristol’s Cup Final matches and winning one. He also joined the [[Bristol and West]] [[building society]], as these were the days of [[amateur]] rugby - eventually rising to be manager of the [[Brislington]] branch.
-He left Bristol amid much local controversy for their bitter west country rivals [[Bath Rugby|Bath]], where he arrived aged 22: ''"disaffected with England and, with my volatile character, I could easily have drifted out of the game altogether. At the time the big joke was that I'd had more clubs than [[Jack Nicklaus]] - Newport, Bristol and Bath by 22 and people doubted my character, they thought of me as being very fickle and at Bath I found what I wanted - a rugby home."'' <ref> http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s105/st74420.htm </ref>. His first Bath game was on the [[7 September]], [[1985]] v Plymouth Albion on the Rec. He would later captain Bath to an English teams first League/Cup double.
+He left Bristol R.F.C. amid much local controversy for their bitter west country rivals [[Bath Rugby|Bath]], where he arrived aged 22: ''"disaffected with England and, with my volatile character, I could easily have drifted out of the game altogether. At the time the big joke was that I'd had more clubs than [[Jack Nicklaus]] - Newport, Bristol and Bath by 22 and people doubted my character, they thought of me as being very fickle and at Bath I found what I wanted - a rugby home."'' <ref> http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s105/st74420.htm </ref>. His first Bath game was on the [[7 September]], [[1985]] v [[Plymouth Albion]] on the Rec. He would later captain Bath to an English teams first League/Cup double.
 ===International career===