Phil Bennett

This House mourns the sad passing of Welsh rugby great Phil Bennett; notes that Mr Bennett represented his home town team Llanelli on 413 occasions, including the famous 1972 victory over the New Zealand All Blacks, scoring 2,535 points; recognises that Mr Bennett gained 29 Welsh caps and was part of teams that won 2 Five Nations Grand Slam and 3 Triple Crowns; further recognises that Mr Bennett toured with the Lions to South Africa in 1974, with the team returning undefeated, and captained the 1977 tour to New Zealand; admires the incredible rugby vision and skill possessed by Mr Bennett including a devastating side-step that could outwit any defender; recalls his famous team talks as captain, not least his speech to the Welsh national team before their encounter with England in the 1977 Five Nations Championship; further notes that Mr Bennett was inducted to the Rugby Hall of fame in 2005; and remembers a humble man that has inspired generations of rugby union players and supporters.