The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior 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 partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
