Wigan great Billy Boston to be knighted in historic first for rugby league

• Accolade has never been given to a rugby league player

• Boston, 90, a pioneering black figure in British sport

The Wigan Warriors legend Billy Boston will become the first rugby league player in the sport’s 130-year history to receive a knighthood on Tuesday.

Rugby league has never had a player awarded the highest accolade in an honours list, with calls increasing in recent years thanks to the fundraising done away from the field by people such as Kevin Sinfield – who is expected to be given a similar honour at some stage – and the late Rob Burrow. But Boston’s name has also always been high on the list of candidates overlooked.

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