The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered 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 fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
