Stuart Barnes

Stuart Barnes (born 22 November 1962 in Grays, Essex) is a former English rugby union footballer, and now rugby commentator for Sky Sports. Barnes played fly-half for Newport RFC, Bristol, Bath; and represented England and the British Lions at international level.

Biography

Although born in Essex, he was to captain Wales Schools.

Barnes studied at St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford, where he won three rugby Blues. He captained the team, and played against Cambridge University's Rob Andrew in the Varsity match. He graduated from Oxford with a third-class honours degree in history.

Club career

While at University, Barnes played club rugby for Newport RFC. He graduated in 1981.

Barnes later played for Bristol Rugby, including in the 1984 RFU final against Bath Rugby. After being on the losing side for Bristol in that final, he was to join Bath.

He arrived at Bath 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.".

Stuart Barnes (cricketer)

Stuart Neil Barnes (born 27 June 1970) is a former English cricketer. Barnes was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm medium pace. He was born at Bath, Somerset.

Barnes made his first-class debut for Gloucestershire in a List A match against Surrey in 1989. From 1989 to 1991, he represented the county in 11 List A matches, the last of which came against the touring West Indians. He made his first-class debut for Gloucestershire in 1990 against the touring Zimbabweans. From 1990 to 1991, he represented the county in 11 first-class matches, the last of which came against Oxford University. In his 11 first-class matches he took 16 wickets at a bowling average of 39.06, with best figures of 4/51.

Barnes joined Wiltshire in 1993, making his Minor Counties Championship debut for the county against Devon. From 1993 to 1998, he represented the county in 12 Minor Counties Championship matches, the last of which came against Devon. Barnes also represented Wiltshire in the MCCA Knockout Trophy, making his debut in that tournament against Cornwall in 1993. From 1993 to 1998, he represented the county in 10 Trophy matches, the last of which came against the Warwickshire Cricket Board. Barnes also played a single List A match against Durham in the 1993 NatWest Trophy.