Phil Bennett was another product of the mythical Welsh fly-half factory and was a side-stepping magician on the field. He succeeded Barry John in the number 10 shirt for Wales and went on to partner Gareth Edwards a record 24 times in international matches. Bennett and Edwards were also the lynch-pins in the Lions unbeaten 22-match tour of South Africa in 1974. Three years later Bennett led the Lions in New Zealand. In the course of the two tours he amassed 226 points in 26 games for the Lions. He also played a key role in one of the best-known tries in rugby history. Told by his Llanelli club coach Carwyn James to go out and ‘express himself’ for the Barbarians against the All Blacks at Cardiff Arms Park in 1973, it was his twinkling footwork in the shadow of his own goalposts that started the movement that led to Edwards’ legendary try at the other end of the pitch moments later.

Greatest Moment

His two seasons of captaincy with Wales culminated in a personal contribution of two tries and a conversion in the win over France that sealed the Grand Slam in 1978.

Interesting Facts

Phil was the first Welshman to be capped as a replacement when Gerald Davies was injured against France in Stade Colombes in 1969; the following year his next two full games for Wales were as a wing (against South Africa) and at centre (against Scotland).

Career Status

1969-1978

Test Caps
Test Points
Test tries
Penalties
Conversions
Drop Goals