The former player: 'I really wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.
"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream 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 implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport 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 continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think 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
