The former player: 'I really hoped to continue my rugby career'
Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, 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 invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation 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 discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty 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
