The former player: 'I wanted to continue my rugby career'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications 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 definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "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 professional game."
"We has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
