Career Record: Played 29: Won 19, Drew 4, Lost 6
Test Points: 166.
Tries: 4
Penalties: 36
Conversions: 18
Drop Goals: 2.
Phil Bennett is pictured above in his Barbarians kit playing against Leicester.
He died on Sunday 12th June 2022 aged 73 at his home after a long illness.
1969 v France (R) (Paris) D 8-8 (FN)
1970 v South Africa (Cardiff) D 6-6
1970 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 18-9 (FN)
1970 v France (Cardiff) W 11-6 (FN)
1972 v Scotland (R) (Cardiff) W 35-12 (FN)
1972 v New Zealand (Cardiff) L 19-16
1973 v England (Cardiff) W 25-9 (FN)
1973 v Scotland (Murrayfield) L 10-9 (FN)
1973 v Ireland (Cardiff) W 16-12 (FN)
1973 v France (Paris) L 12-3 (FN)
1973 v Australia (Cardiff) W 24-0
1974 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 6-0 (FN)
1974 v Ireland (Dublin) D 9-9 (FN)
1974 v France (Cardiff) D 16-16 (FN)
1974 v England (Twickenham) L 16-12 (FN)
1975 v Scotland (R) (Murrayfield) L 12-10 (FN)
1975 v Ireland (Cardiff) W 32-4 (FN)
1976 v England (Twickenham) W 21-9 (FN)
1976 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 28-6 (FN)
1976 v Ireland (Dublin) W 34-9 (FN)
1976 v France (Cardiff) W 19-13 (FN)
1977 v Ireland (Cardiff) W 25-9 (FN)
1977 v France (Paris) L 16-9 (FN)
1977 v England (Cardiff) W 14-9 (FN)
1977 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 18-9 (FN)
1978 v England (Twickenham) W 9-6 (FN)
1978 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 22-14 (FN)
1978 v Ireland (Dublin) W 20-16 (FN)
1978 v France (Cardiff) W 16-7 (FN)
Won 8 British Lions caps (4 in 1974 v. South
Africa and 4 in 1977 as captain v. New
Zealand).
Held the world record for international points
(210 pts - 166 for Wales + 44 for Lions).
In 1976 he scored record equalling 38 points in
in the Five Nations Championship.
Captained 1977 British Lions tour to New Zealand.
Awarded OBE in 1978.
Member of Welsh team that won 2 Grand Slams
(1976, 1978), 3 Five Nations Championships (1970, 1973 & 1975), and 1 Triple Crown (1977).
Phil is pictured above in action for the Rugby Writers in a testimonial match during 1977.
Photo G. Herringshaw. ©
Phil Bennett's wizardry entertained crowds throughout the seventies and added to 'the Welsh fly half factory' legend. His mercurial skills, including a devastating sidestep and swerve, ensured he was a more than adequate successor to 'The King', Barry John. 'Benny's' unique hunched running style proved deceptive and he had an uncanny ability to unlock defences with his twinkling feet. He made his Welsh debut in 1969 against France when he became the first Welsh replacement to be capped. He would also gain caps as a fullback and centre: his autobiography was aptly called 'Everywhere for Wales'.
It was not until 1972, when John retired, that he finally settled into the fly half berth. As a wonderful kicker and runner he had the complete game. His form earned him a place on the British Lions tour of South Africa in 1974, where he would reach new heights as the star of the tour, scoring 103 points. His 50 yard try in the 28-9 second test victory in Pretoria, ranks as one of the supreme examples of individual brilliance on a rugby pitch. Nevertheless, it didn't assure him of a place in the Welsh team. Unemployment forced him to consider emigrating in the following season.
In 1975, he was initially dropped and in the 1975-76 season he was not even named as a replacement. However, a combination of factors saw him regain his place. In 1977, he became only the second Welshman to skipper a Lions tour, having captained Wales throughout the season. The New Zealand tour was bitterly disappointing and Bennett's game suffered as the burden of captaincy affected his confidence. A marked man, he never reached the heights of the '74 tour, but again scored over 100 points on tour. He retired from international rugby in 1978. (John Lovell).
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