The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.
"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," 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 incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny 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 diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.
"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 playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in late 2022
