Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston dies

Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston has died at the age of 92, Wigan Warriors have confirmed.

Boston made history when he became the first black player to compete for the Lions, when he was selected by Great Britain for their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1954.

The Cardiff-born former Great Britain winger 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 during a sparkling career that cemented his reputation as a legend of the code.

The rugby league great scored three tries or more on 51 occasions and remains one of only a small handful of Welsh platers to have scored more than 1,000 points in their career.

Boston received rugby league's first knighthood in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2025 following a campaign by local councillors, MPs and sporting figures to see him honoured.

In a statement on Tuesday, Wigan Warriors said: "The whole of Rugby league are devastated to announce the passing of Sir Billy Boston.

"Sir Billy Boston sadly passed away peacefully earlier today, surrounded by his closest family.

"This news comes just weeks after the Boston family announced the passing of Lady Joan Boston, his devoted wife, and days after her funeral."

'Best mistake I ever made'

Born in 1934 as the sixth of 11 children to an Irish mother and a Sierra Leonean father, Boston showed an early talent for athletics.

After leaving school, he worked at the Elliot Equipment factory manufacturing rubber dinghies and parachutes and began his rapid ascent through Welsh rugby.

Following his conscription for military service, he began playing for the premier Rugby Union side in the armed forces.

His performance drew interest from rugby league scouts.

Boston signed with Wigan in 1953, after the team doubled their initial offer to £3,000.

Because Boston didn't want to move north, his mother, Nellie, told the Wigan directors he would accept nothing less than the then lavish sum in a bid to get rid of them.

When they pulled out £3,000 in cash, Boston was forced to sign.

The legend goes Boston cried about the decision, knowing it would mean he would never play for Wales, but later called it the "best mistake I ever made".

After just six matches, he was selected to play for the Lions.

Boston gained international honours with Great Britain, returning 24 tries whilst gaining 31 caps.

He was Wigan's most capped player until Andy Farrell surpassed his appearances with 34.

During a dazzling career, he toured in 1954 and 1962 and was a member of the World Cup squad in 1957 and 1960.

There were more tears when Boston played his final match for Wigan in 1969, when he joined Blackpool before retiring in 1970.

Boston has been immortalised in a bronze statute at Wembley and in Wigan.

When the statue was unveiled in his adopted home, Boston revealed he was suffering from dementia but continued to watch matches at the DW Stadium.

Tributes flood in for Boston

Wigan head coach Matt Peet also paid tribute to Boston, saying his "legacy goes far beyond records and trophies".

"Billy Boston is woven into the fabric of this club. Every day we walk through the doors, we're reminded that we have a responsibility to represent all those who have gone before us and made Wigan Warriors what is is today," he said.

"Billy stands at the very top of that history.

"Those fortunate enough to have seen him play tell me he was simply the greatest. His achievements, the man he was and the standards he set will continue to inspire everyone who pulls on this shirt."

He added: "Sir Billy Boston will always be one of Wigan Warriors' greatest sons, and he will never be forgotten."

The Welsh Rugby Union said: "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 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."

Wigan said they will pay tribute to Boston prior to their Betfred Super League match against Hull KR on Thursday night.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

(c) Sky News 2026: Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston dies