Entertainment

Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston dies at 92

The Welsh-born former Wigan and Great Britain winger was one of the sport's most prolific try scorers and its first knighted player.

Updated Aug 25, 2026 · 10:20 UTC1 reports

The short version

Rugby league icon Sir Billy Boston has died at the age of 92, just weeks after the death of his wife, Lady Joan.
Born in Cardiff, Boston moved to rugby league in 1953 with Wigan, going on to score 478 tries in 488 games for the club and 571 tries over his entire career.
Boston broke ground as the first Black British player to tour Australia and New Zealand with Great Britain in 1954 and helped win the 1960 World Cup.
Tributes honoring his athletic legacy and humility were led by Wigan owner Mike Danson, Wales Rugby League, and the Welsh Rugby Union.

Sir Billy Boston died at the age of 92, weeks after the passing of his wife, Lady Joan.[BBC News]
Boston scored 571 total career tries, including 478 tries in 488 appearances for Wigan, a career tally exceeded in top-class rugby league only by Brian Bevan.[BBC News]
In 1954, Boston became the first Black British player to tour Australia and New Zealand with the Great Britain national squad.[BBC News]
He scored a try in the 1960 World Cup final to help Great Britain defeat Australia 10-3 at Odsal Stadium.[BBC News]
In 2025, Boston received a knighthood from King Charles, becoming the first player in rugby league's 130-year history to be knighted.[BBC News]
Boston was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in 1988 and is commemorated with statues in Wigan, Cardiff, and Wembley Stadium.[BBC News]