The former player: 'I really wanted to continue playing'
Important note: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, 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 happened," he told reporters.
"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"That was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient 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 surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body 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 considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
