The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred 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 World Cup
Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter 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 learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations 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 significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior 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 strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming 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 game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
