The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition 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 continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform 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
