The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.
"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 sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend 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.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
