Sir Billy Boston, dual-code Welsh icon who scored 571 tries, dies aged 92

Sir Billy Boston, the dual-code legend who became one of the most celebrated figures in Welsh sporting history, died peacefully in hospital in Wigan aged 92. His death came just four days after the funeral of his wife of 70 years, Lady Joan. He had been knighted only weeks earlier, in June 2025.

The Welsh Rugby Union confirmed the news, describing Boston as “one of the best-loved and most iconic figures in the history of Welsh sport” and “the most famous son of Tiger Bay”. He had lived in Wigan for 74 years after moving north to complete his National Service.

Boston was born in Butetown, Cardiff, in 1934, one of 11 children of John Boston, a merchant sailor from Sierra Leone, and his wife Nellie. He grew up on Angelina Street in Tiger Bay alongside Joe Erskine, who would go on to become British heavyweight champion. The two played together in the same Cardiff schoolboys team before their paths diverged.

In rugby union, Boston became the first black player to represent Wales at any level, captaining the Wales Youth side and scoring a hat-trick in a 32-0 win over England in Neath. He harboured a deep ambition to play for Cardiff and Wales at senior level, but no offer came — a rejection he later admitted left him in tears. Cardiff similarly passed over other Black and mixed-race players of the era, including Johnny Freeman and Colin Dixon, who, like Boston, went on to become legends of rugby league.

Wigan eventually signed him for £3,000 — a figure his mother had named expecting it to end negotiations — and Boston went on to rewrite the record books. He scored 571 tries in 562 games, helped Great Britain win the Rugby League World Cup in 1960, and claimed three Challenge Cup winners’ medals. His try-scoring rate remains among the most remarkable in the history of either code.

After retiring from the game, Boston ran a pub near Wigan’s former ground at Central Park, becoming a beloved figure in the town that had adopted him. In 2023, he was honoured alongside Clive Sullivan and Gus Risman in the Codebreakers Statue unveiled in Cardiff Bay, recognising Welsh players whose union careers were cut short by racial discrimination before they flourished in league. His knighthood followed two years later.

Boston is survived by his family. Tributes from across both codes of rugby are expected in the coming days.