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Knighthood pioneer dies
Sir Billy Boston, the first rugby league player to receive a knighthood, has died at the age of 92, with the Welsh Rugby Union confirming his death in a statement.
“Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston has died aged 92”
Boston was born in Cardiff in 1934 and signed for Wigan in 1953 as a 19-year-old, after being overlooked by his home club and coming to the attention of rugby league scouts while on national service in the north of England.
He went on to score 478 tries in 488 games for Wigan, helped them win three Challenge Cups and the Championship, and later finished his playing career as a second row with Blackpool Borough.
In 2025, after being diagnosed with dementia, he was awarded a knighthood by King Charles, and his death comes just weeks after the passing of his wife, Lady Joan.
Wigan owner Mike Danson said, "Billy Boston was everybody's hero, including my Mum's," adding that his knighthood was "a fitting recognition of a career that brought great credit to Wigan and to the game."
Legacy on and off pitch
The BBC said Boston became the first black British player to tour down under when he was picked for the 1954 Great Britain side that went to Australia and New Zealand.
Boston reached the 100-try milestone in just 68 matches after his switch from union, and he scored 24 tries in 31 appearances for Great Britain, including being part of the side that won the 1960 World Cup.
The BBC also noted that Boston scored a try in the final as they beat Australia 10-3 at Odsal Stadium in Bradford, and it described his post-playing life running the Griffin Hotel close to Wigan's Central Park Ground.
Wales Rugby League said in a released statement that "Today, rugby league has lost one of its greatest-ever players," and it added that "Wales has lost one of its finest sporting sons."
Matt Newsum, the BBC rugby league commentator, said Boston had a "uniquely unifying effect" on rugby league communities, and described him as "a blur of speed, footwork and power."
Tributes and next tributes
Wigan Warriors said Boston’s death came just weeks after the Boston family announced the passing of Lady Joan Boston, and it said he passed away peacefully earlier today surrounded by his closest family.
“"Sir Billy Boston, one of the best loved and most iconic figures in the history of Welsh sport, has passed away peacefully at the age of 92."”
The Welsh Rugby Union statement quoted by the BBC said, "Sir Billy Boston, one of the best loved and most iconic figures in the history of Welsh sport, has passed away peacefully at the age of 92."
The BBC also said Boston was among the first players inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in 1988 and is one of five rugby league players to be included in a statue at Wembley Stadium.
The BBC reported that Boston was appointed an MBE in 1986 and was among the first to be inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame when it was launched in 1990.
Wigan were expected to undertake a series of tributes at their Super League game against Hull KR on Thursday evening, according to The Guardian’s account of reactions after the news broke.