It hardly seems imaginable now, but Phil Bennett was once dropped by Wales. Not for long mind you! It was back in January 1976 that the great fly-half was left out of the squad for the Five Nations opener against England at Twickenham, with John Bevan and David Richards being selected ahead of him.
That provoked a huge public outcry and criticism within the press and it was followed by a dramatic turn of events as both Bevan and Richards pulled out through injury, resulting in Bennett being restored to the side.
He proceeded to play a key role as Wales won 21-9 to lay the platform for a Grand Slam. He was never to be dropped again.
