The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 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 happened," he explained to reporters.
"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, 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 died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I need to take 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 game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
