The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.
"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's 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 descent.
"Over a period of time you just learn 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 eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. 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 film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing 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 potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
