The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, 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've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate 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 support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby 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
