The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" 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 invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked 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 earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," 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 ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
