Sir 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 in a statement, saying: “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.”
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.
