[3] Barnes then joined Harlequin F.C., where he understudied Jason Leonard and played 45 games during his two seasons at the club,[4] before moving to Bath Rugby in 2000.
[[#cite_note-David_Barnes_to_lead_England_Saxons�_Churchill_Cup_defence-7|[7]]] Barnes played in the final of the 2007–08 European Challenge Cup, as Bath defeated the Worcester Warriors.
[9] Barnes withdrew from the squad due to an injury inflicted upon him by teammate Duncan Bell.
As part of this climb, Barnes encouraged Andy Blyth, an ex-teammate at Newcastle Falcons, who had suffered a serious spinal injury playing for Sale Rugby Club, in 2000 to join the trip.
As part of a 3-man team, including injured soldier Martin Hewitt – British Forces News- he successfully completed the 7 day, 150 mile, Ultra Marathon across the Sahara Desert.
Once again he used this experience to raise money for charity and supported Help for Heroes, Restart and the Bath Rugby Foundation.