The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described 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 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 told media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred 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 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream 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 implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
