The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, 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 done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress 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 my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are 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 comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
