The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.
"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
