The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 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 retire because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
