The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other 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 dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved 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 filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
