Phil Bennett
Philip Bennett (24 October 1948 – 12 June 2022) was a Welsh
rugby union player who played as a
fly-half for
Llanelli RFC and the
Wales national team. He began his career in 1966, and a year later he had taken over from
Barry John as Llanelli's first-choice fly-half. He made 414 appearances for the Scarlets over the course of a 15-year career he scored 131 tries, 43 drop goals, 293 pens and 523 conversions. He made his Wales debut in 1969, but it was not until John's retirement from rugby in 1972 that Bennett became a regular starter for his country. He led Wales to the
Five Nations Championship title, including the Grand Slam in 1978, which culminated with his retirement from Wales duty.
Bennett also toured with the
British Lions to
South Africa in 1974, when they went unbeaten in 22 matches, and to
New Zealand in 1977, and also made 20 appearances for the
Barbarians between 1970 and 1980; he played a pivotal role in the
win over New Zealand in 1973, considered by many to be the best rugby union match ever played.
Bennett was inducted into the
World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2020, his try for Wales against
Scotland in March 1977 was voted the greatest Wales try of all time.
Provided by Wikipedia