The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.
"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of 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 banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing 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 comfortable others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
