The former player: 'I really wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred 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 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen 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 elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform 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
