Phil Bennett

Phil Bennett ( born October 24, 1948 in Felinfoel, Carmarthenshire, Wales ) was a Welsh rugby union player from 1969 to 1978, mostly on the position of the connector. Through his flair and his trick wealth - especially his famed Sidesteps and change of direction - he was very popular with the public.

Career

On March 22, 1969 Bennett was used in Paris for the first time for the Welsh national team. When the first substitute player in international rugby at all, he reinforced the team against France. Early in his career, he played a variety of positions, including closing and interior, but in 1972, he specialized as a successor to the legendary Barry John on the connector position.

Due to his outstanding form he became a member of the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa on the 1974, where he scored 103 points. His attempt about fifty yards against Pretoria was a career highlight. Nevertheless, his place in the Welsh team he was not always sure also gave each opponent's defense since most heed to him. So he could never quite reach the form of 1974. Nevertheless, he was the captain of the Lions on the tour of 1977.

1978 saw the retirement after 29 internationals. Club rugby played Bennett in Llanelli Llanelli RFC for the whole 16 seasons long. Twenty times he also played for the Barbarians, among others in the famous match against the All Blacks in 1973, where he initiated the famous attempt by Gareth Edwards.

His autobiography was published under the title " Everywhere for Wales " and now Bennett works as a commentator for television.

In November 2005, Phil Bennett was eventually included in the Welsh rugby hall of fame.

• Rugby union player (Wales )
• Born in 1948
• Man