The former player: 'I hoped to continue playing'
Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened 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 told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored 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 behaviour.
"You should 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 impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
