The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications 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 professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I really wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word 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 entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
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 strategy for the professional game."
"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, 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 died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for 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 excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
