Sir Billy Boston dead aged 92: Rugby league legend – and the sport’s first knight – was a gentle giant and a breaker of barriers, writes OLIVER HOLT – he belongs in the same company as Jackie Robinson and Arthur Ashe
Sir Billy Boston, the rugby league legend and the sport's first knight, has died aged 92. He was a pioneering figure who broke down racial and class barriers in British sport, and his death has prompted tributes from across the rugby world and beyond, including from Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who praised his kindness and humility.
Boston scored 478 tries in 488 matches for Wigan and played in six Challenge Cup finals, having become the first non-white player to represent Great Britain on a Lions tour in 1954, where he scored 36 tries in 18 appearances. He was knighted in June 2025, becoming rugby league's first knight after 130 years in which the sport had received none, despite rugby union collecting 20. He already had three statues in his honour, in Cardiff, Wembley and Wigan, and his death came just four days after the funeral of his wife of 70 years, Lady Joan.
- Rugby league icon and sport's first knight Sir Billy Boston dies aged 92
- Broke racial barriers as first non-white Lions tourist, in 1954
- Scored 478 tries for Wigan; died days after wife's funeral
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Sir Billy Boston was one of rugby league's greatest ever players, spending most of his career at Wigan, where he scored 478 tries in 488 matches, and also playing for Great Britain, including a famous Lions tour in 1954. In doing so, he became the first non-white player to represent the Lions, at a time when Black and mixed-race sportsmen faced significant barriers in British sport.
His achievements were formally recognised in June 2025, when he was knighted, making him the first person in rugby league's 130-year history to receive the honour, despite rugby union having produced 20 knights. He was already commemorated with statues in Cardiff, Wembley and Wigan, reflecting his standing both as a sportsman and as a figure who challenged racial and class divisions.
He has died aged 92, only days after the funeral of his wife of 70 years, Lady Joan, prompting tributes from figures including Prime Minister Andy Burnham.