The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.
"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", 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 controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
