David Barnes (rugby union)

{{Short description|English rugby union player}}

{{EngvarB|date=August 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = David Barnes

| image =

| birth_name = David Michael Barnes

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|7|12|df=y}}

| birth_place = Leicester, England

| height = {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|112|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}

| occupation = RFU Head of Discipline

| school = Sedbergh School

| university = Durham University

| spouse = Elie Barnes

| position = Prop

| amatyears1 = 14

| amatteam1 = Stoneygate FC

| amatteam2 = Kendal RUFC

| years1 = 1995–1998

| years2 = 1997

| years3 = 1998–2000

| years4 = 2000–

| clubs1 = Newcastle

| clubs2 = West Hartlepool

| clubs3 = Harlequins

| clubs4 = Bath

| apps1 = 3

| apps2 = 10

| apps3 = 45

| apps4 = 266

| points1 = 0

| points2 = 5

| points3 = 5

| points4 = 30

| repyears1 = 1997–2011

| repteam1 = England Saxons

| repcaps1 =

| reppoints1 =

| repsevensyears1 =

| repsevenscomp1 =

}}

David Michael Barnes (born 12 July 1976 in Leicester) was a rugby union prop for Bath Rugby in the Guinness Premiership retiring in 2011. He was appointed head of Discipline at the Rugby Football Union in July 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrugby.com/news/barnes-appointed-rfu-head-discipline/|title=Barnes appointed RFU head of discipline|publisher=Rugby Football Union}}

Barnes was educated at Nevill Holt, Sedbergh School and Durham University. Whilst at Durham, he competed for Kendal RUFC.{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbynetwork.net/main/s105/st74034|title=Interview with David Barnes|publisher=Rugby Network|date=12 June 2005|access-date=8 January 2010}} His performances then led to him playing for West Hartlepool R.F.C., during the 1996–97 season, when they were in the top tier.

He subsequently played for the Newcastle Falcons when they won the 1997–98 Premiership. It was during 1997 that Barnes was first involved with England A.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12553_2422561,00.html|title=PRA Q&A David Barnes|publisher=Sky Sports|date=2 February 2006|access-date=8 January 2010}}

Barnes then joined Harlequin F.C., where he understudied Jason Leonard and played 45 games during his two seasons at the club,{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/david-barnes-the-shop-steward-revelling-in-long-hours-at-coalface-774261.html|title=David Barnes: The shop steward revelling in long hours at coalface|work=The Independent|date=26 January 2008|access-date=8 January 2010 | location=London}} before moving to Bath Rugby in 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.scrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/31164.html|title=Bath sign young prop from Quins|publisher=ESPNscrum|date=25 May 2000|access-date=8 January 2010}} Before retiring from the sport, due to injury, in 2011, he had played 266 first team games for Bath Rugby and a career total of over 200 Premiership games.

In 2006, Barnes featured in an England XV side against the Barbarians.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/5023474.stm|title=England 46–19 Barbarians|publisher=BBC|date=28 May 2006|access-date=8 January 2010}} He then captained England Saxons at the 2006 Churchill Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.rfu.com/News/2006/May/News%20Articles/DavidBarnesToLeadEnglandSaxonsChurchillCupDefence?a=1&y=2006|title=David Barnes to lead England Saxons Churchill Cup defence|publisher=Rugby Football Union|date=16 May 2006|access-date=8 January 2010|archive-date=21 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921011121/http://www.rfu.com/News/2006/May/News%20Articles/DavidBarnesToLeadEnglandSaxonsChurchillCupDefence?a=1&y=2006|url-status=dead}}

Barnes played in the final of the 2007–08 European Challenge Cup, as Bath defeated the Worcester Warriors.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7408294.stm|title=Bath secure Challenge Cup glory|publisher=BBC|date=25 May 2008|access-date=8 January 2010}}

Barnes, who is uncapped, was called up to Martin Johnson's squad for the 2009 Autumn Internationals.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8324266.stm|title=Injury-hit England make changes|publisher=BBC|date=26 October 2009|access-date=8 January 2010}} Barnes withdrew from the squad due to an injury inflicted upon him by teammate Duncan Bell.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article6913125.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805135334/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article6913125.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 August 2011|title=Martin Johnson revises plans with changes down England's spine|work=The Times|date=12 November 2009|access-date=8 January 2010 | location=London | first=David | last=Hands}} Barnes is the chairman of The Professional Rugby Players' Association.

Barnes also represented the Barbarians FC on four occasions with his last appearance being in the 29–23 victory over Ireland on 4 June 2010.http://www.skysports.com/rugbyunion/match_report/0,,11069_40444_1,00.html {{Dead link|date=February 2022}} On retirement, he joined the committee of the famous club and currently still holds this position.