The former player: 'I really wanted to continue my rugby career'
Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.
"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to 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 disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
