BENNETT’S FIGHT WITH ILLNESS

WALES and British and Irish Lions legend Phil Bennett is seriously ill and is being looked after by his family at his west Wales home. Famed for his jinking sidestep and running ability from fly-half, Bennett — now 73 — won 29 Wales caps and eight for the Lions and is considered one of rugby’s all-time greats. His former side Scarlets said of their president: ‘Phil is battling like the true Scarlet he’s always been. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.’ Bennett (above) was key to the Welsh side of the 1970s. He won two Grand Slams and was part of the Lions side that won in South Africa in 1974. Bennett captained the Lions in 1977 and was revered for his performances with Llanelli and also in the famous shirt of the Barbarians.