 Barrell was with Samurai RFC as their forwards coach and following a successful tournament approached Sione with a view to moving to Saracens.It was his performance here that led to joining the Tongan national team "Ikale Tahi" for two games, against Japan and Romania, with a defeat and victory respectively.Along with several other members of the Tongan team, he chose to depart from national duty early in order to ease the mid-season joining in England.