The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some 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 issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, 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 sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
