The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances 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"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, 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 wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
