The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing 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 elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called 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 disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
