The former player: 'I really wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for 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 definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over 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 says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died 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 accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to previous team Northampton in late 2022
