The former player: 'I hoped to continue playing'
Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims 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 revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted 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 myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "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 introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You should 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 effect on you and ended your playing days, 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 production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
