GARRY SCHOFIELD has paid a personal tribute to Sir Billy Boston, who has died aged 92, calling him “Rugby League royalty”.

The pair became friends after meeting through events for Great Britain internationals, with Wigan legend Boston playing in 31 Tests, in which he scored 24 tries, and Schofield 46, a joint-record number with Mick Sullivan, for a number of years, Boston’s wing partner at the Central Park club.

Boston, from Cardiff, turned professional after experiencing racism in rugby union, and was to be recognised as helping open doors for black sports stars.

He totalled 571 tries during a glittering career, 478 of them in 488 games for Wigan between 1953 and 1968, and was a huge favourite with fans of all clubs, winning widespread acclaim when he last year was awarded Rugby League’s first knighthood.

“One look at Sir Billy’s career statistics tells you what a superb player he was, one who had not only exceptional pace but great vision, and knew how to use his physique to best effect,” said ex-Hull FC and Leeds centre or stand-off and former League Express columnist Schofield.

“But in addition to that, he was just a fantastic human being, one who had time for everyone, whoever they were and wherever they came from.

“He was a lovely man, who was relaxed and made the people he was talking to feel relaxed, and he always seemed to have that big smile on his face. And whatever he said was worth listening to.

“Billy gave me loads of advice over the years, and the one message that always stuck with me, and which matches my own outlook, was to take the game seriously, but to make sure I enjoyed it.”

Boston set a then joint-Great Britain record of scoring four tries in a match when New Zealand were beaten 27-7 in Auckland in 1954, his first tour call-up coming early in his Rugby League career.

It was matched by Schofield in the Lions’ 25-8 victory over the Kiwis at Wigan in 1985, and he added: “It was a privilege to be mentioned in the same breath as Billy Boston. He was Rugby League royalty.”

Last Thursday Wigan, in association with Sky Sports, staged an extensive tribute to Sir Billy prior to their match against Hull KR.