The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred 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 discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen 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 professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
