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Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston dies aged 92

Sir Billy Boston, one of rugby league's greatest try scorers and the first player to receive a knighthood, has died at the age of 92.

  • Sir Billy Boston scored 478 tries in 488 games for Wigan and 24 tries in 31 appearances for Great Britain.
  • He was part of the Great Britain side that won the 1960 World Cup, scoring a try in the final.
  • Boston was knighted in 2025, becoming the first player in rugby league's 130-year history to receive the honour.

Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston has passed away at the age of 92. Known as one of the game's greatest try scorers, Boston made history last year by becoming the first player in rugby league's 130-year history to receive a knighthood.

Born in Cardiff in 1934, Boston signed for Wigan in 1953 as a 19-year-old. His talent was quickly evident, leading to his selection for the 1954 Great Britain side that toured Australia and New Zealand, making him the first black British player to tour down under.

Boston's extraordinary scoring ratio saw him claim 478 tries in 488 games for Wigan, contributing to three Challenge Cup victories and a Championship title. He also scored 24 tries in 31 appearances for Great Britain, including a try in the 1960 World Cup final where they defeated Australia 10-3.

His career total of 571 tries is surpassed only by Australian legend Brian Bevan in top-class rugby league. Boston was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in 1988 and is immortalised with statues in Wigan and Cardiff, as well as being one of five rugby league players included in a statue at Wembley Stadium.

Why this matters: Sir Billy Boston's death marks the passing of a pioneering figure in rugby league, celebrated for his exceptional playing career and his historic knighthood.

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