The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized 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 without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.
"I really wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary 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 achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, 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 game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to change 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
