The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also encountered 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 multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep 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 underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in November 2022
