The former player: 'I really wanted to continue playing'
Important note: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.
"I hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"That was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened 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 told media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful 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.
"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 dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
