The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.
"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.
"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough 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 journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.
"I have 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"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look 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 diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive 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 change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in November 2022
