The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.
"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence 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 excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" 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 elite level."
"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You 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 impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
