The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred 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 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
