The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for 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 end my career because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof to categorically 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 journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
