The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media 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 distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"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 spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have done," 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 career, 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 sister died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
