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Welsh rugby great Phil Bennett has died

12 Jun 2022 3 minute read
Phil Bennett, who has died at the age of 73. PA Wire. Picture on the right by David Davis / PA Wire

Ex-Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half Phil Bennett has died at the age of 73, his former club Scarlets have announced.

Bennett, affectionately known as ‘Benny’, played 413 times for Llanelli RFC from making his debut as an 18-year-old to his final appearance in 1981, captaining the side for six years of his 15-year spell.

Regarded as one of Wales’ greatest ever players, he won 29 caps for his country between 1969 and 1978, winning two Five Nations Grand Slams and three Triple Crowns.

Bennett played club rugby for 16 seasons at Llanelli RFC.

He also played 20 times for the Barbarians, including the famous game against the All Blacks in January 1973.

In that game he was the catalyst for the Gareth Edwards’ try early in the game that is still regarded as one of the finest ever scored.

He had been battling illness for sometime.

The Scarlets this evening issued a statement, which read: “It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of club legend, former captain and Scarlets President Phil Bennett.

“Phil passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday evening surrounded by his close family.”

Paying tribute to Bennett on their website, the Scarlets said in a statement: “A player with stardust in his boots, he possessed a sidestep that would mesmerise defenders — his jinking run to spark ‘the greatest try ever scored’ for the Barbarians against New Zealand in Cardiff in 1973 will live long in rugby folklore.”

The statement went on to quote Bennett’s former club captain and Wales and Lions team-mate Delme Thomas, who said: “He was the best fly-half I have ever seen on a rugby field.”

Scarlets executive chairman Simon Muderack said: “As a club, region and community, we are devastated by this news.”

Reflecting on Bennett’s key role in Llanelli dominating the domestic scene, including four Welsh Cup triumphs in the 1970s, he continued: “Wherever the Scarlets travel around the world, people mention the name Phil Bennett.

“He was an icon of our sport, a rugby superstar, but someone who always remembered his roots. There was no finer ambassador of Scarlets Rugby than Phil, a player respected across the rugby world, both during his career and long after he finished playing.

“Phil was a hero and friend to so many people, not only in Llanelli and West Wales, but throughout the game and I am sure a lot of Scarlets supporters will have their own particular stories of the times they met and chatted to ‘Benny’.

“He loved the club and epitomised the values we hold true — humility and pride in our community.

“On behalf of everyone at the Scarlets, we send our heartfelt condolences to Pat, Steven, James and all of Phil’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”


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Eifion
Eifion
2 years ago

Very sad news

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
2 years ago

I’m gutted to hear this sad news. My brother met him a few years back when he was signing copies of the DVD GrandSlam in HMV. He just happened to be in town that day and found out back accident that he was signing copies of the recently released DVD. So bought one and waited in line to have it signed for me as a surprise for my birthday. He said Phil Bennett was so down to earth and approachable. He even asked about me during his conversation with my brother and personalised my DVD to me.. Wales and the… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Y Cymro
Arwyn
Arwyn
2 years ago

Newyddion trist iawn.

Rhy5
Rhy5
2 years ago

Nos da Phil a diolch yn fawr iawn

Leigh Richards
Leigh Richards
2 years ago

Was lucky enough to see phil bennett play in his prime for both Llanelli and Wales – a better player never wore the number 10 jersey for Wales. If any one player epitomised the flair and skill of that wonderful welsh team of the 1970s it was Phil Bennett.

Gareth
Gareth
2 years ago

Diolch am yr atgofion. He will also be remembered not only for his play, but he also gave one of the greatest motivational pre game speeches in the history of rugby,

Steve George
Steve George
2 years ago

Great, great player! And, from everything I’ve heard, a thoroughly lovely man. A guy who played rugby for the love of it. A superstar in the days when all they were paid was fairly miserly expenses. RIP

Eifion
Eifion
2 years ago

Phil’s speach before playing England in 1977, not sure if anything has really changed apart from what natural resources are being taken.

“Look what these b******s have done to Wales. They’ve taken our coal, our water, our steel. They buy our homes and live in them for a fortnight every year. What have they given us? Absolutely nothing. We’ve been exploited, raped, controlled and punished by the English — and that’s who you are playing this afternoon.”

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