The former player: 'I hoped to continue playing'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.
"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
