LONDON, June 10, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Billy Boston has become the first knight in rugby league's 130-year history after being honoured by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

   Boston, 90, who stared for Wigan and Great Britain in the 1950s and 1960s, was a trailblazer for black sportsmen and one of rugby league's greatest-ever players.

   He scored 478 tries in 488 matches for Wigan after making the switch from rugby union in 1953.

   The ceremony came before the King's Birthday Honours List was publicly announced over concerns for the former player's health. Boston has vascular dementia.

   "Billy Boston is a true trailblazer whose contributed hugely to rugby league," said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

   "It is a historic wrong that a sport which is the backbone of so many communities has waited so long to receive this honour.

   "Boston is a legend of the game who overcame prejudice to represent Great Britain and opened the door to a more diverse game."

   The knighthood came after a campaign lead by local politicians and senior rugby league figures.

   Wigan Warriors owner Mike Danson said: "Without doubt Billy was a player who was -- and still is -- the biggest crowd favourite in rugby league."