Barnes played fly-half for Newport RFC, Bristol, Bath; and represented England at international level.

He played for Oxford against Cambridge University's Rob Andrew in the Varsity match.

[6] Barnes later played for Bristol Bears, including in the 1984 RFU final against Bath Rugby.

[7] He arrived at Bath aged 22: "disaffected with England and, with my volatile character, I could easily have drifted out of the game altogether.

Barnes became a freelance writer and reporter for The Daily Telegraph, and wrote his autobiography Smelling of Roses.