The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient 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 overlooked for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to 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've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised 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 myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," 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 Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in late 2022
