The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.
"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation 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 collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" 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 "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect 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 passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
