The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized 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 out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," 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 harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so proud 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 impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in late 2022
