Barbeary was part of the Banbury Rugby Club teams which won several Oxfordshire cups and Land Rover Cups at youth level. He was educated at Bloxham School and played in the team which won the under-18 National Schools Plate in 2019. He started training with Wasps under-15.[2][4]
Barbeary permanently entered Wasps’ Senior Academy squad for the 2019–20 season.[5] After featuring in a Cup game with the senior team in 2018 as a substitute hooker,[6] he spent some time in on loan with Nottingham during the 2019–20 RFU Championship, still being dual registered with Wasps.[7][8]
In December 2020, Barbeary made his European club debut, starting as a number 8 in both fixtures against the Dragons and Montpellier. Already successful in Wales,[11] he proved to be instrumental in the home performance against MHR, proving to be a decisive forward, breaking lines and scoring tries, but also showing his back skills with kicks, offloads and try assists, and eventually being named man of the match.[12][13][14]
Barbeary however ended the year with an ankle syndesmosis injury,[15] only allowing him to get back on the field in late March 2021, making the headlines as an early substitute against Newcastle Falcons, allowing his team to win the game after a come-back.[16]
Wasps entered administration on 17 October 2022 and Barbeary was made redundant along with all other players and coaching staff.[17] On 20 November 2022, it was confirmed that Barbeary had signed for Premiership rivals Bath on a long-term deal from the 2022-23 season.[18]
In November 2020 Barbeary received his first call up to the senior England squad.[4][22] In February 2024 he scored a try for England A against Portugal.[23]
Barbeary was a centre through most of his youth career, naming Ma'a Nonu and Mathieu Bastareaud as his biggest influences. However, after entering Wasps' under-15 team he moved to the front row, becoming a hooker at both club and international levels. He has also frequently played in the back row, either as a flanker or a number 8.[2][4][19]
Despite being viewed, including by head coach Eddie Jones', as a hooker in both England's youth and senior teams,[24] — it is in the back row that Barbeary first took the spotlight with Wasps.[9][14] In November 2021, it was reported that he would focus on the back row, with Jones' blessing.[1]
