The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.
"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called 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 "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has given 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 shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated 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.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are pure, 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 doing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged 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 return to former club Northampton in late 2022
