The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
