The Scarlets will honour the memory of the late Phil Bennett this September by playing an historic fixture against the Barbarians in Llanelli.
Llanelli and Scarlets legend Bennett, who sadly passed away a year ago today, produced a host of memorable moments in the scarlet of his home town and the black and white hoops of the Baa-Baas, most notably his dazzling, side-stepping run that launched ‘the greatest try of all time’ against the All Blacks in 1973.
The 1974 and 1977 British & Irish Lions tourist played 20 times for the Barbarians, the second highest by any Welshman and bettered only by another Llanelli great RH Williams, with 22 appearances. He also scored 181 points, played against Scotland, Fiji, Canada, Australia and New Zealand (twice) and captained the club on 10 occasions.
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“To be able to host an iconic side like the Barbarians is fantastic for everyone at the Scarlets - players, coaches, staff and, of course, our supporters," said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel.
"It promises to be another great occasion ahead of the new season and a fitting way to remember a legend like Benny.”
Former Australia internationals Berrick Barnes and Nathan Grey will be part of an all-Aussie coaching team along with ex-Australia assistant Laurie Fisher and Jason Gillmore, the current NSW Waratahs assistant coach.
"Having had the honour of playing for the Barbarians in 2005 it was something I will always be grateful for and enjoyed thoroughly," said 1999 Rugby World Cup winner Grey.
"Being asked to help coach the team with a great bunch of Aussie coaches is equally as exciting. An opportunity that I will grab with both hands and do my best to contribute to the fabric of the Baa-Baas ethos and playing style. I can't wait.”
Scarlets have played the world-famous invitational side on three previous occasions, the last to officially open the Parc y Scarlets stadium in January 2009 when a capacity 14,500 crowd watched the home side run out 40-24 winners against a team containing the likes of All Blacks Anton Oliver and Ben Blair. Current Scarlets Jonathan Davies and Ken Owens were part of the Scarlets squad that day.
The sides also met at Stradey Park in 1965 (28-15 to Barbarians) to mark the opening of the new changing rooms and dining hall at the ground and in 1972 (33-17), as part of the club’s centenary celebrations. The visitors that day included Lions greats Fran Cotton and Fergus Slattery.
“It is a huge honour for the club to be welcoming the Barbarians to Llanelli once again for what promises to be a memorable occasion at the end of our 150-year celebrations," said Scarlets executive chairman Simon Muderack.
"To be celebrating an incredible player like Phil who shone for both great clubs makes it that more special.”
The match will kick-off at 2.30pm on Saturday, September 16 at Parc y Scarlets, and will bring an end to the club's 150th anniversary celebrations.
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