The former player: 'I really hoped to continue my rugby career'
Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.
"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important 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 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 controversially overlooked for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player 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 "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
