The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"That was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
