The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation 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 sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
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 strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
