The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.
"I hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence 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 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
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."
"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight 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 longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly 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 return to former club Northampton in late 2022
