FAREWELL TO PHIL... THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL

PHIL BENNETT was described as “a great gentleman and a great rugby player” as giants of the sport united in tribute to him at a remembrance service in Llanelli.

Bennett, who died earlier this month after a long illness at 73, captained Wales and the British and Irish Lions. He also started the move, playing for the Barbarians against New Zealand in 1973, that delivered a length-of-the-field score and is often described as rugby union’s greatest try. Barely three miles from where Bennett helped Llanelli famously beat the All Blacks 9-3 at Stradey Park 50 years ago, family, friends, players past and present, coaches and rugby supporters gathered at Parc y Scarlets (right) to honour his legacy. Members of the revered 1972 Scarlets team paid their respects. They were joined by Bennett’s former Wales team-mates Sir Gareth Edwards (above) and Gerald Davies, the Welsh Rugby Union president and ex-Wales and Llanelli captain Ieuan Evans. There was also a filmed tribute from New Zealand’s 1972 captain Ian Fitzpatrick. Former Llanelli captain Delme Thomas, 79, said: “What can you say about the greatest player I’ve ever seen play the game?

“That’s a big thing to say because I’ve played with some great players – a lot of them are sat in the stands today – but Phil was something special, a great gentleman and a great rugby player.”

The remembrance service was followed by a funeral service in nearby Felinfoel, Bennett’s home village.