The former player: 'I really hoped to continue playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out 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 "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," 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 finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in late 2022
