The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," 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 ended 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 dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
