The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed 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've have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole situation 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 stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
