The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I really wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged 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 rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was controversially overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"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 says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority 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."
"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization 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 ongoing process."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed 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 recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"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 feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform 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
