The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering 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 guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations 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 team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll continue to fight that cause 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 more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories 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 opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
