The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated 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 rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging 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.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
