The former player: 'I hoped to continue playing'
Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was controversially overlooked 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 earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive environments, 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 protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal motivations 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 fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
