The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just begin 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 eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen 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 professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production 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 sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby 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
