The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications 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 invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several distressing 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 experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"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 says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
