The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised 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 standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate 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 culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are pure, 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 myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
