The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing 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 retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time 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 speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures 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 significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to change 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
