The former player: 'I hoped to continue playing'
Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred 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 encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
