Born in Grays Essex. 5'6" tall and weighed 11st 12lb. He was educated in Bassaleg Comprehensive Newport and St. Edmund Hall Oxford University where he won three rugby Blues.
He had captained Newport Schools, Gwent Schools, Welsh Schools (Intermediate and Senior age groups), and Oxford University before arriving at Bath via Newport and Bristol.
While at Bristol, his England debut was against Australia in November 1984, eventually winning a total of 10 caps by 1993.
He 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.
He appeared in two of Bristol's Cup Final matches (winning one) and in six winning Cup Finals with Bath.
His first Bath game was on the 7th September 1985 v Plymouth Albion on the Rec.
Won 40-0. Team:- C Martin, D Trick, J Palmer, S Halliday, B Trevaskis, S Barnes, R Hill, G Chilcott, G Bess, D Sole, J Morrison, N Redman, J Hall, P Simpson, D Egerton. Replacements – A Swift & M Roberts
MATCH REPORT:-
 Stuart Barnes fluffed his first three penalty attempts playing under the Bath banner. However, he soon made up for a shaky introduction, with a personal tally of 16 points, comprised of a try and 6 successful conversions. John Horton, the former occupant of the fly-half spot, was about to ply his trade with Bristol. In this opener, Barnes admitted to being nervous, but this was probably the only occasion that he was to reveal any self-doubts.
The line-out was 'cleaned-up' by Redman and Egerton. Plymouth were exposed to a torrid time in the scrums, and horrid times in the loose. The visitors crumbled under tries by Travaskis, Hall Palmer (2), Halliday, Barnes, and Martin. Skipper, John Palmer gave an inspiring display. Ever alert for an opening, he added fluency to the back line, and added a pleasing two-try contribution, to these most promising opening proceedings.
In a brilliant partnership with Richard Hill, Barnes proved to be the master of taking and giving of near flat passes, and introduced a superior brand of tactical awareness. Orchestrated by the coaching staff, it was to revolutionize Bath's style of play and lead to a run of Cup and League success.
Stuart followed Richard Hill’s term of captaincy with the following impressive record:-
| |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Drawn |
For |
Against |
|
| 1988-1989 |
44 |
36 |
6 |
2 |
1262 |
521 |
Cup and League Champs |
| 1989-1990 |
41 |
35 |
5 |
1 |
1166 |
379 |
Cup winners |
| 1990-1991 |
34 |
29 |
4 |
1 |
984 |
392 |
League Champs |
His full Club record: - A total of 196 appearances 53 tries, 313 conversions, 22 drop goals and 230 penalties, thereby amassing total points of 1604.
His last game was the Bath v Leicester Pilkington Cup Final on 7th May 1994, when Bath won by 21 points to 9.
Stuart Barnes has built an equally impressive career off the field as a journalist and a polished and well informed TV rugby commentator.
Peter Hall October 2005 ©
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