Philip Bennett played international rugby union for Wales. He passed away at the age of 73. Let’s see how did he die, what happened, and what was Phil Bennett Cause of Death
How did Phil Bennett die?
It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of club legend, former captain and Scarlets President Phil Bennett.
Phil passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday evening surrounded by his close family. pic.twitter.com/FQpacfONfD
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) June 12, 2022
A statue of Phil Bennett was inaugurated in his hometown of Felinfoel, Carmarthenshire, in April.
Although his position in rugby’s pantheon of greats had long been assured, it was a tangible representation of the former Llanelli, Wales, and British & Irish Lions fly half’s legacy.
Bennett, who died at the age of 73 after a long struggle with illness, will be remembered forever. No one exemplified Welsh rugby’s traditional adventurous style and carefree spirit quite like him, with his jinking sidestep and running ability.
One month ago, As worries about the well-being of Wales icon Phil Bennett increase, the Scarlets have released a brief statement.
The 73-year-old is reportedly ‘fighting’ an illness and is being cared after by his family. His old team turned to social media to address internet health rumours.
“Our President Phil Bennett is ill and is being cared for by his family,” the Scarlets said in a statement.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Phil, who is fighting like the true Scarlet he has always been. We ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time.”
Our President Phil Bennett is unwell and being cared for by his family.
Phil is battling like the true Scarlet he’s always been and our thoughts and prayers are with him.
We would ask everyone to respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) May 6, 2022
Phil Bennett Cause of Death
Phil Bennett, a Wales and Lions legend, died at the age of 73 after a long illness. Phil Bennett Cause of Death was illness.
There’s no official information on what the illness Philip Bennett suffered from.
Phil Bennett cause of death has been confirmed by the Guardian. The long illness which he suffered from was Throat cancer.
Cancer of the throat (pharynx) or voice box (larynx) is referred to as throat cancer.
When cells in your throat experience genetic alterations, throat cancer develops. These mutations make cells proliferate out of control and live after healthy cells would otherwise expire. These cells collect together and may develop into a tumour.
- Tobacco usage, which includes chewing and smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
- An absence of fruits and vegetables in the diet
- Illness of the stomach and oesophagus (GERD)
- Hazardous chemical exposure at work
There is no effective strategy to avoid throat cancer. And treatment depends on the stage of cancer.
We will update once Phil Bennett Cause of Death is available.
The Scarlets, for whom he played 413 games and scored 2,535 points over 15 seasons, announced the news.
He was one of Wales’ greatest players, winning 29 caps between 1969 and 1978 and playing in two Five Nations Grand Slam-winning teams. In the second, he led the team and scored two tries as they completed a clean sweep of victories by defeating France in Cardiff.
The diminutive fly-half also played for the Lions in South Africa in 1974 and captained the world-famous tourists three years later in New Zealand.
There were also memorable Barbarian performances, such as the twinkle-toed west Walian setting up Gareth Edwards’ try against New Zealand in 1973, which is still regarded by some as the greatest touchdown ever scored.
Phil Bennett’s Early Life
Bennett, who was born in Felinfoel, Carmarthenshire, made his Wales debut against France in Paris on March 22, 1969, at the age of 20, becoming the first Welsh substitute in international rugby, replacing an injured Gerald Davies.
Bennett began his career in a variety of positions, including fullback and center, before settling into the fly-half position in 1972. In that capacity, he succeeded the legendary Barry John.
Bennett’s form earned him a spot on the British and Irish Lions’ famous tour to South Africa in 1974, where he scored 103 points. On that tour, his 50-yard try against South Africa in Pretoria was a career highlight.
Even so, a spot in Wales’ squad was not guaranteed.
In 1975, he was benched in favor of Aberavon RFC’s John Bevan, and he only came on in the third game of the Murrayfield Test to replace an injured Bevan.
“When I think of great outside-halves in the game, I think of this boy, because, believe me, I’ve played with some great players in my time, but this is the best of them all.”
His wife Pat and sons Steven and James survive him.
Phil Bennett’s Career
Benny, as he was affectionately known throughout rugby, never seemed more at ease than when playing for his beloved Llanelli, where he spent nearly his entire senior career.
His best performance for them came in a 9-3 victory over New Zealand at Stradey Park in 1972. Llanelli’s forwards were fearless, but the home team relied on their tactical maestro to get them home.
Late in the game, he fielded a kick deep in his own half while under pressure from wing Grant Batty, who was charging at him. There was no time to think, so Benny took a step to the side and let Batty fly by. The danger was averted by a superbly flighted kick to touch.
Llanelli had a triumph that echoed down the decades. His role in the Barbarians’ try nearly a half-century ago saw him collect the ball in an unfavorable position, underneath his own posts, with All Blacks closing in.
Bennett, on the other hand, used his evasive skills, including a series of jagged sidesteps, to take out a third of the New Zealand team before releasing the ball and turning defense into an exhilarating counter-attack.
After his playing days, he became an accomplished after-dinner speaker, respected pundit, and newspaper columnist. He was the most modest of men, who wore his fame lightly.
Those who saw him play in person could count themselves fortunate to have witnessed an authentic rugby genius.
Benny would never have marketed himself as such. Those close to him, on the other hand, had no such reservations.
Former Wales and Llanelli lock Delme Thomas paid a glowing tribute to Phil at the recent unveiling of a statue of him in his home village of Felinfoel, saying: “When I returned from the 1971 Lions tour of South Africa and the great Barry John retired the following season, everyone thought Welsh rugby was done, but up came this boy from Felinfoel and he never looked back.”
Tribute to Phil Bennett’s Death
Scarlets Rugby said,
News content writer.
I had the honor and privilege of having watched the mercurial Flyhalf PHIL BENNETT play for LLANELLI versus Boland at the WELLINGTON RUGBY ground ( SOUTH AFRICA) I think that was 1973 before BENNY had played fir WALES .WOW WHAT A GEM OF A FLYHALF > NEVER TO BE FoRGOTTEN.i also saw him play for the TRIUMPHANT WILLY JOHN MCBRIDES LIONS at NEWLANDS 1974 > PHIL became my favorite Flyhalf I’d ever seen > I turned 77 this year and was saddened to hear of HIS” PASSING” BOY & COULD HE PASS! R.i.P. SIR BENNETT .