The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.
"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred 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 revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You be so proud 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 effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner 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 young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
