The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period 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 finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, 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 died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability 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 late 2022
