An excellent team player who was on the verge of a long international career sadly cut short by injury. Simms was a really tough player too well versed in the black arts of the front row in the days when forwards pushed in the scrums and hookers hooked.
Barry was also a cheeky player too and I recall one story where he had had a disagreement with an opposition forward who wagged his finger at Simms and threatened him saying "I'll get you back at the next scrum". Well just before the next scrum was about to be formed Barry started to limp and asked our back rower Tomlinson if he would take his place at hooker. As they packed down Barry went to loose forward and just before the ball was put in he asked the referee to watch the hookers. Well the ball was put in and with the referee bending down looking at the hookers an arm appeared from the opposition second row and with clenched fist smashed deputy hooker Tomlinson in the face as he had his head down unprotected. The referee (Eric Clay I think?) promptly sent off the second rower and poor old Tomlinson went to a grinning Barry in amazement and said "What did I do wrong Simmy"
A key player in our first championship victory and one I really enjoyed watching. Diskin in some ways reminded me of Simms. both hard working key players in the middle of the field. As a young supporter I often used to watch the training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and enjoyed a pint after with the players in the old bowling club.
RIP Barry
