The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report 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 Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred 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 arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
