The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" 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 guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You 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 finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children 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 for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
