20 Questions: David Barnes – ex-Bath and Harlequins prop
I thought I would, but I’m happy as RPA chairman. You miss the camaraderie with the guys but I’m still involved in the game.
What aren’t you missing?
The aching after every match. Waking up feeling completely battered was never pleasant.
Who was your most fearsome opponent?
Julian White. We first opposed each other in 1997 and he was the best scrummager I ever played against. Paul Wallace was pretty good and, of the new breed, Dan Cole is right up there in terms of technique and power.
Biggest joker?
Mark Regan would think he was, but Luke Watson was really good. He would put you in awkward situations and get a good laugh.
Best trainer?
Danny Grewcock. Still is. Ask any of the Bath academy guys and they’ll tell you they’re learning the hard way. Danny expects the best and was a phenomenal trainer.
Worst trainer?
Duncan Bell. I’ve never seen anyone avoid weights like him, which probably explains his body shape. Jonathan Humphreys was a shocker, too.
Cleverest player?
Martin Purdy… a Cambridge graduate. Simon Danielli was a proper intellectual as well.
Biggest moaner?
Duncan Bell again. Would complain about anything, whether it was training, food, the lot. Love the guy, but he does like a whinge.
Shortest arms, deepest pockets?
Gareth Llewellyn at Quins was renowned for being tight. I remember Gary Halpin taking a fiver out of his wallet and burning it in front of him. Gareth went absolutely ballistic!
Worst dressed?
Most would say it was me, but I’d go for Matt Perry. Pezza was the only man I knew who cut his own hair with a razor blade and his dress sense was awful.
How do you chill out?
Walking the dog. I got a Labrador called Megan when I was 23 and she’s 13 now. It doesn’t matter how many tackles you miss, the dog will always love you.
Worst rugby memory?
We lost lots of finals at Bath, but the worst was the 2004 Premiership final against Wasps after we’d led the league all season. Heartbreaking.
Best rugby moment?
Beating Gloucester 10-5 at the Rec in the most horrendous conditions in 2008. Best forward pack game I’ve ever played in.
Will Bath end their trophy drought?
I hope so. Bath need to revisit a few things but they’ve restructured the whole coaching department and maybe it’s time for them to push on.
Bath fans demand a bit of style, don’t they?
Yes, but they also need that forward edge. Everyone expects Bath to run it from everywhere, but you need to underpin that with a good pack.
Favourite food and drink?
Pizza or junk food. A decent meal would be steak and my favourite drink is milk – when I was playing 10 pints a day. It horrified the dieticians!
Holiday destination?
The Galapagos Islands. I did seven days diving there and it was spectacular. I love adventure holidays.
Who was your teenage rugby idol?
Jason Leonard. On my first day at Quins, my mum proudly told him how I had pictures of him all around my bedroom walls. Thanks mum!
Team-mate you were slightly afraid of?
Danny Grewcock. Everyone else you could upset, but not him. I saw Danny’s eyes go in training a few times and if he saw the red mist it was time to exit!
Three words that best describe yourself?
Committed, loyal and enthusiastic.
NEALE HARVEY
