The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject 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 absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
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 strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming 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 behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
