The former player: 'I wanted to continue my rugby career'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.
"I really wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said 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 overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" 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 implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
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 feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, 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 soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
