The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on playing'
Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.
"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations 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 international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 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 experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority 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 professional game."
"We has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, 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 production of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to previous team Northampton in late 2022
