Legendary rugby league winger Boston dies aged 92
Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston has passed away at the age of 92. A trailblazing winger for Wigan and Great Britain, he was the first rugby league player to receive a knighthood and remains one of the sport's most prolific scorers.
Why it matters
Boston was a pioneering figure in British sports history, breaking racial barriers and setting scoring records that stood for decades.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, Winger Sir Billy Boston scored an incredible 478 tries in 488 games for Wigan
Rugby league legend Sir Billy Boston has died aged 92.
Last year, he became the first player in rugby league's 130-year history to receive a knighthood.
Born in Cardiff in 1934, Boston grew up playing union but - overlooked by his home club - came to the attention of rugby league scouts while on national service in the north of England, signing for Wigan in 1953 as a 19-year-old.
Despite having played just a handful of games in league, the young winger's talent was quickly evident and Boston was picked for the 1954 Great Britain side that went to Australia and New Zealand - becoming the first black British player to tour down under.
He reached the 100-try milestone in just 68 matches after his switch from union.
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