The former player: 'I really hoped to continue playing'
Warning: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side 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 competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization 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 excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted 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 suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" 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 implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have done," 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 view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe 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 return to former club Northampton in late 2022
