The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling 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 three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"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.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the potential 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 late 2022
