The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof 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 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"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 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 referred to him as a "enslaved person" 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 "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
