Billy Boston, rugby league superstar and trailblazer from the 1950s and ‘60s, dies at age 92

Billy Boston, a trailblazing rugby league player from the 1950s and '60s, has passed away at the age of 92. Born in Cardiff, Wales, Boston initially played rugby union but caught the attention of rugby league scouts during his national service in northern England. He joined Wigan Warriors in 1953 and played 488 games for the club, scoring an impressive 478 tries, before retiring in 1968. Boston amassed a British-record 571 tries throughout his career, making him one of the all-time greats of the sport.

Beyond his impressive statistics, Boston made history as the first Black player to represent Britain in the Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1954, scoring 36 tries in 18 appearances. He also played in 31 international test matches, including the 1960 World Cup final where he scored a try in Britain's victory against Australia.

In June 2025, Boston received a special knighthood from then-British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his contributions to the sport and breaking barriers for Black athletes in Britain. His son, who followed him into the sport, announced his death on Tuesday, stating that he had passed away peacefully and was surrounded by his closest family. Wigan Warriors, his former team, described him as "one of the greatest figures our sport has ever known."