The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally 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 accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary 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 achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to previous team Northampton in November 2022
