sport news England star Luther Burrell lays bare rugby union's racism problem trends now

Our conversation started late last year. A phone call to Luther Burrell to ask about racism in rugby was met with an immediate answer: ‘It’s rife.’ 

It was a stark admission that was followed by radio silence. What happens in the changing room seemed destined to stay in the changing room.

A few months later, he agreed to meet for an off-the-record dinner. Towards the end of the meal, he pulled out his phone and opened up a group WhatsApp chat.

‘Negro,’ wrote one player.

‘Racist,’ replied another.

‘Yes,’ said the first player.

The next notification showed a different player immediately leaving the group. ‘This was three days ago,’ he said at the time. 

At that point, Burrell was too afraid to share his stories beyond the dinner table. Reluctant to break the changing-room code. 

He went away to speak with his father, Geoff, who has roots in Jamaica and battled with racism in his younger years. 

'There were also conversations with team-mates — old, new, black, white — before he agreed to get together in Leeds this week.

We meet at the locks in the city centre. He orders a coffee for a quick caffeine hit. ‘I didn’t sleep much last night,’ he says.

‘I’ve been nervous about doing this. It’s a scary subject to broach, isn’t it? I don’t know how it’ll be received. 

'My dad asked me yesterday if I was going to do it and said he’ll back me whatever I decide. He was going to come along with me but he’s not well, on dialysis.

‘Don’t get me wrong, I’ve said things that have probably crossed the line. Naivety, insecurity, wanting to fit in, the need to be liked. I’m not proud to admit that, but things are said in the changing room that shouldn’t be said. 

'A lot of it doesn’t come from a bad place but that doesn’t make it OK. This isn’t a witch hunt and I don’t want people to feel sorry for me. A lot of what’s said isn’t even malicious, but it’s become normal and it needs to be addressed.

‘My son and daughter, three and five, are mixed race. Would I be happy with them getting the same racial “banter” from their friends? Of course not. 

'There are numerous players in numerous environments who have experienced it. I could say nothing and carry on as normal but it needs to be spoken about.

‘Maybe it will empower the next generation to call it out and force change. It’s a touchy subject and I’m scared how people will receive it but, in the grand scheme of things, why should I care? 

'It’s factual. I love our sport and I want to see it move forwards.’

Burrell has been in the professional game since 2006. The sport has moved on since then but, as we are about to find out, not everyone has moved with it. 

He wants this conversation to empower the younger generation — and it starts with sharing his own experiences.

‘You’ve seen some of the messages. Things get said in jest without any thought. 

'Every week, every fortnight. Comments about bananas when you’re making a smoothie in the morning. Comments about fried chicken when you’re out for dinner.

'I’ve heard things that you wouldn’t expect to hear 20 years ago. We had a hot day at training and I told one of the lads to put on their factor 50. Someone came back and said, “You don’t need it, Luth, put your carrot oil on”. 

'Then another lad jumps in and says, “No, no, no, he’ll need it for where his shackles were as a slave”.

‘Excuse my language but, what the f***? Where does that come from? Some players shake their head and others laugh along with it.

‘People greet you as, “What’s up my n*****?” It’s not meant in a bad way but when is it going to change? It’s a very, very raw subject. Over the past few years, it’s happened a lot. That’s the environment.

‘It’s normalised because I allowed it to become normalised. I’d laugh it off. I’ve been a coward by not speaking up. 

'Over the years I’ve become thicker skinned. You know how long I’ve thought about talking about this. I will never name names but it’s gone on for too long.’

Throughout the evening, Burrell, 32, speaks to two other black players on the phone and briefs them on the interview he is doing. They salute him, yet they are reluctant to share their own experience.

‘The young guys aren’t going to say anything, are they? There’s seniority in rugby environments. If you’re a 20-year-old you’re scared of getting told to shut the f***up.

'After a few beers I’ve said, “Mate, you’ve got to stop saying that” but it never changed anything. You just get, “We love you really

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