Former Wales fly-half Phil Bennett dies aged 73

Ex-Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half Phil Bennett has died at the age of 73, his former club Scarlets have announced.

Bennett, affectionately known as 'Benny', played 413 times for Llanelli RFC from making his debut as an 18-year-old to his final appearance in 1981, captaining the side for six years of his 15-year spell.

Regarded as one of Wales' greatest ever players, he won 29 caps for his country between 1969 and 1978, winning two Five Nations Grand Slams and three Triple Crowns.

Paying tribute to Bennett on their website, the Scarlets said in a statement: "A player with stardust in his boots, he possessed a sidestep that would mesmerise defenders - his jinking run to spark 'the greatest try ever scored' for the Barbarians against New Zealand in Cardiff in 1973 will live long in rugby folklore."

The statement went on to quote Bennett's former club captain and Wales and Lions team-mate Delme Thomas, who said: "He was the best fly-half I have ever seen on a rugby field."

Scarlets executive chairman Simon Muderack said: "As a club, region and community, we are devastated by this news."

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