The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.
"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
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 multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period 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 finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to 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 eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud 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 was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
