The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as humour 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 think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" 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 environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene 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.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
