The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so proud 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 ended your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to previous team Northampton in November 2022
