The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing 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 occurred," he told 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 accept the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
