The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.
"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
