The former player: 'I really wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.
"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "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 introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own stories as well.
"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to previous team Northampton in November 2022
