The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You be so pleased 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 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 father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
