The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject 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 have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started 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 faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"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.
"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight 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 longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
