20 Facts About Phil Bennett

Philip Bennett was a Welsh rugby union player who played as a fly-half for Llanelli RFC and the Wales national team.

Phil Bennett began his career in 1966, and a year later he had taken over from Barry John as Llanelli's first-choice fly-half.

Phil Bennett made 414 appearances for the Scarlets over the course of a 15-year career.

Phil Bennett 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.

Phil Bennett led Wales to three Five Nations Championship titles, including Grand Slams in 1976 and 1978, the second of which marked his retirement from Wales duty.

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Phil Bennett was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2015.

Phil Bennett was born in Felinfoel, Carmarthenshire, on 24 October 1948.

Phil Bennett was often ill as a child and his father was told that he would "never have the physique to play rugby".

Phil Bennett began his rugby career with Felinfoel RFC, before being picked up by nearby Llanelli RFC.

Phil Bennett retired from club rugby in 1981, having made 414 appearances for Llanelli and scored 2,535 points.

Phil Bennett played 20 times for the Barbarians, including against the All Blacks in January 1973.

Phil Bennett made his Wales debut against France at Stade Colombes in Paris on 22 March 1969; he came off the bench to replace an injured Gerald Davies, making him the first ever substitute for the Wales national team.

Phil Bennett's first start came on the right wing against South Africa in January 1970, a position he was not familiar with, but he was considered "too good to leave out"; he then moved to inside centre for Wales' first match of the 1970 Five Nations Championship against Scotland, before making his first appearance at fly-half in the match against France two months later.

Phil Bennett went on to become a member of the British and Irish Lions team on their tour to South Africa in 1974, in the team known as "The Invincibles".

Phil Bennett went on to tour again with the British and Irish Lions to New Zealand in 1977, but this time as captain, where he again was top scorer with 125 points.

Phil Bennett retired from international rugby union in 1978 having won 29 caps for Wales between 1969 and 1978.

Phil Bennett was awarded an OBE in the 1978 New Year Honours for services to rugby football.

Phil Bennett had regular newspaper columns for the South Wales Evening Post and Daily Mirror.

Phil Bennett was named president of the Scarlets regional side in 2011.

Phil Bennett died on 12 June 2022 after a long illness at the age of 73.