The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept 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 said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body 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 professional game."
"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging 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 ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely 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 comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
