Sir Billy Boston dies as tributes pour in for rugby legend and World Cup winner

Sir Billy Boston dies as tributes pour in for rugby legend and World Cup winner Iconic Welsh rugby league player Sir Billy Boston has died aged 92 Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston has died aged 92. The Welshman is recognised for being the trailblazer for black sports stars during the 1950's and 1960's, where he made 488 appearances for Wigan. Boston became the first non-white player to represent Great Britain during a Lions tour in 1954. He scored 36 tries in 18 appearances in Australia and New Zealand. In 2025, he became the rugby league's first player ever in its 130-year history to receive a knighthood. Born in Cardiff in 1934, Boston had a brief spell in rugby union before making the switch to league, spending a whopping 15 years at Wigan, crossing the line a phenomenal 478 times. He won the Challenge Cup on three occasions with Wigan, adding First Division, Lancashire League and Lancashire Cup to his collection. The Welsh Rugby Union paid tribute to an 'iconic' sportsman as they confirmed the news of Boston's death on Tuesday, writing: "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 most famous son of Tiger Bay, he died overnight in hospital in his adopted home for the past 74 years, Wigan. His death came only four days after the funeral of his wife, Lady Joan, to whom he had been married for 70 years." Matt Newsum, the BBC's rugby league commentator, said: "It is testament to the star power of Sir Billy Boston that even 56 years after he last graced a rugby pitch, young fans are fully aware of the legend that is the Welshman from Cardiff's Tiger Bay. "He had a uniquely unifying effect on a normally partisan and tribal rugby league community. It will take some getting used to, the empty seat at the Brick. He will be missed but certainly not forgotten." Boston was of the Great British teams that won the Ashes Series in 1956/57, 1959/60 and 1962. Boston crossed the line in the 10-3 win over Australia as they were crowned World Cup winners in 1960. He received a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1999 after being inducted into three halls of fame, the Rugby Football League Hall of Fame, Welsh Sports Hall of Fame and Wigan Warriors Hall of Fame in 1988, 1990 and 1998, respectively. After receiving his knighthood last year, there was a night of celebration for Boston when Wigan Warriors ran out 30-10 winners against Huddersfield Giants. Sir Billy was treated to Russell Watson's performance of Abide with Me whilst sitting on his throne with a tifo unveiled. Then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said at the time: “It is a historic wrong that a sport which is the backbone of so many communities has waited so long to receive this honour. “Boston is a legend of the game who overcame prejudice to represent Great Britain and opened the door to a more diverse game.” Warriors coach Matt Peet said: "A showpiece occasion and a credit to him. It’s a celebration of Billy Boston, isn’t it? But I think it was a celebration of rugby league, overcoming adversity, working classes, just welcoming all, and that’s what this club is about and what this game is about, and that’s why Billy is the icon that he is." In 2016, Boston was diagnosed with vascular dementia and the 93-year-old's death comes just three weeks after his wife, Lady Joan Boston, died at the age of 90.