The former player: 'I hoped to continue playing'
Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
