The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on playing'
Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect 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 excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, 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 open.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," 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 confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
