The former player: 'I hoped to continue my rugby career'
Warning: This article contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just begin to think 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 referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
