Phil Bennett
| Full name | Philip Bennett | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 24 October 1948 | ||
| Place of birth | Felinfoel, Wales | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Fly-half | ||
| Amateur clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | ||
|
Felinfoel RFC Llanelli RFC Barbarian F.C. |
|||
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1969–1978 1974–1977 |
Wales British Lions |
29 8 |
(166) (44) |
Phillip Bennett OBE (born 24 October 1948) is a former Welsh international rugby union fly half from 1969 to 1978. His flair and range of tricks, including his famous sidestep and swerve, meant he was a firm favourite with crowds.
Born in Felinfoel, Carmarthenshire, Bennett made his Wales debut on 22 March 1969 against France in Paris at the age of 20 when he became the first ever Welsh substitute in international rugby, replacing an injured Gerald Davies. Initially, Phil played in a number of positions including fullback and centre, but settled in the fly-half position in 1972. He succeeded the legendary Barry John in that position.
Bennett's form meant that he joined the British Lions on their famous tour to South Africa in 1974, scoring 103 points. His 50-yard try against South Africa at Pretoria on that tour was a career highlight.
Even so, a place in the Wales side was not guaranteed. In 1975 he was dropped for Aberavon RFC's John Bevan and made just the one appearance for Wales as a substitute for the injured Bevan in the Murrayfield Test.
In 1976 Bevan picked up an injury and Bennett was recalled. Following the injury to the then Welsh captain Mervyn Davies, Bennett took over this role, which resulted in him becoming captain of the British Lions on the 1977 Tour. In August 1977 the British Lions made a stopover in Fiji on the way home from their tour of New Zealand. Fiji beat them 25–21 at Buckhurst Park, Suva. In 1977 Phil Bennett's pre-game pep talk before facing England produced a memorable, anti-English quote:
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