Welsh rugby league 'giant' Boston dies, aged 92

Billy Boston, who last year became the first rugby league player to be awarded a knighthood, has died at the age of 92.

The Welsh Rugby Union confirmed his death on Tuesday.

"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," said a WRU statement.

"The most famous son of Tiger Bay, he died overnight in hospital in his adopted home for the last 72 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."

Born in Cardiff, Boston grew up playing rugby union before switching codes to sign for Wigan in 1953 at the age of 19.

He went on to score 478 tries in 488 appearances for the club during the 1950s and 1960s and became a trailblazer for black sportsmen as one of rugby league's greatest-ever players.

King Charles III knighted him at a ceremony in June 2025 after a campaign lead by local politicians and senior rugby league figures.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, an avid rugby league fan, was among those to pay tribute.

"Heartbroken to hear my friend Sir Billy Boston has died," Burnham posted on X.

"I will miss him greatly and am thinking today of Billy's family, still grieving the recent loss of his beloved wife Joan.

"A giant of a man in every way. Thank you, Billy, and rest in peace."