by The Welsh Rugby Union paid tribute to Sir Billy Boston.
The 90 -year -old rugby legend received a chivalry in the honors of the King’s birthday, becoming the first player of the Rugby League Code to receive the honor.
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Born in Tiger Bay de Cardiff, Sir Billy was also a pioneer of Rugby Union, becoming the first black player to represent Wales in a representative part.
Abi Tierney, director general of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), said: “The WRU is delighted to join the honor celebrations granted to Sir Billy Boston.
“His gaming achievements in the rugby league speak for themselves and he was an extremely promising rugby player in his youth.
“He was a magnificent ambassador for his sport, his city” at home “in Cardiff and for his house adopted from Wigan.
“He was a pioneer in his time and remains one of the biggest names in the history of Welsh sport.”
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Sir Billy’s rugby trip began to Cardiff Schools U15, where he won the Shield Dewar in 1949.
The team included the future captain of Wales Lloyd Williams and the truck boxing champion Joe Erskine.
At 17, he capitalized on the Boys Clubs of Wales in a 32-0 victory against England in February 1952, marking 17 points, including a trial.
He then played for Neath and Pontypridd before starting his national service.
In March 1952, he was capped by the youth team in Wales and became the first black player to represent Wales at any level of Rugby Union.
Although he was never playing for Cardiff’s senior team, Sir Billy’s talent drew attention.
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After an exceptional performance for the Cardiff & District XV against Cardiff, Western Mail Jbg Thomas journalist wrote: “The district had a splendid center in W Boston, which should be in the Cardiff Athletic XV.”
Instead, Sir Billy became a professional at 18, signing a £ 3,000 contract with Wigan on March 13, 1953.
During the national service in Catterick, he played for the Royal Signals XV, marking six trials in the final of the 1953 army Cup and four during the victory of the 1954 army over the territorial army.
Rugby writer Pat Marshall of Daily Express wrote at the time: “If he had not signed professional forms, he was to be in the current team of Welsh Rugby Union.
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“Quite simply, he is one of the biggest runners I have seen.”
Sir Billy made his debut in Wigan for the first team on November 21, 1953, against Barrow, marking the first of his 478 trials in 488 appearances for the club.
He then scored two tests in his second match, three in third and four in fourth.
In 1954, he became the youngest player to visit Australia with Great Britain, marking 36 trials in 18 games, including seven laps of the hat.
He also became the first black player to visit Australasia with the team.
Sir Billy remains an imposing figure in sport, inducted into the replete of the reputation of the British Rugby League, the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame and the Wigan Warriors Hall of Fame.
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He was appointed MBE in 1996 for the Wigan community services.
The statues in his honor are in Wembley, Wigan and Cardiff Bay.
He exceeded twice the score paintings in the rugby league, marking 60 tries during the 1956-1957 season.
Sir Billy won the Challenge Cup three times, and in the 1960 championship final, marked twice to help Wigan get his first title in eight years.
