The former player: 'I hoped to continue playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging 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.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
