Everyone who was fortunate enough to have met Phil Bennett will count his humility, interest in people and gentlemanly nature among some of his greatest attributes.
As a rugby player, he was pretty much unrivalled. But he was so much more than that: a loving husband, father, friend, Welshman and rugby advocate.
The Wales, Llanelli and Lions great died on Sunday aged 73 after a long illness. Tributes have poured in from all over the world, each story showing the authentic nature of the fly-half.
As is often be the case, it is what goes on behind closed doors, in private, away from the spotlight which shows the true measure of a person — and Bennett was just as exemplary in this way, too.
When the Scarlets were caught up in a Covid quarantine nightmare thanks to an ill-fated United Rugby Championship trip to South Africa to fulfil two fixtures last November, Welsh rugby's focus rightfully turned to the people involved and getting them home safely, rather than what would happen to their team's results. The Omicron variant had emerged, and the UK Government placed the Rainbow Nation on its red travel list, meaning travellers had to quarantine if entering the country.
It all came at a time when the world was still very much grappling with coronavirus and its impact on daily life, with the unknown of the new variant causing widespread worry once again.
So, the Scarlets' entire travelling party - 32 players and 15 staff - began their mandatory 10-day isolation at a government-approved Holiday Inn Express just outside Belfast. Exercise and training was limited to having stretch bands in the rooms and being allowed out for 30 minutes per day for a walk in the car park. There was barely any human interaction, and the squad also contained a number of young players.
Despite being seriously ill, former fly-half Bennett was deeply concerned for the players and staff and wanted to personally find out how they were coping with their nightmarish situation. The fact he made a direct phone call to offer his support and check if everyone was alright speaks volumes, and is yet another example of his kindness (you can read about Bennett's other acts of kindness here ).
Up until recently, the Felinfoel native also took the time and effort to write a handwritten letter to any Scarlets player who had suffered a serious injury. In the modern days of WhatsApp and text messaging, Bennett wanted to do it the old-fashioned way, and would deliver his letter to the club to be passed on, with words of encouragement and support along with it, no doubt.
When he couldn't attend a game in person, he would relish phoning the set-up the day after a big win to get the details. Llanelli RFC and the Scarlets meant a huge amount to the man who played for the Scarlets 413 times. Of course, he also won 29 caps for Wales from 1969 to 1978 and starred for the Lions on two tours, to South Africa in 1974 and New Zealand three years later.
Fans have been invited to lay floral tributes at the Stradey gates at Parc y Scarlets if they wish, with rugby bosses set to work with the Bennett family on future plans for tributes.
