The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"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 heritage.
"Over a extended period you just learn 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 speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby 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
