The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, 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 said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, 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 descent.
"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.
"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 impact on you and ended 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 dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
