The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling 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 three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"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 suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine 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 sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues 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 pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
