English rugby must come to terms with the retirement of Emily Scarratt, who has announced the end of her playing career at 35. The centre earned 119 caps for England over 17 years, winning two World Cups and establishing herself as the nation’s all-time leading scorer with 754 points.
Since making her debut in 2008, Scarratt became synonymous with English rugby success. She played a pivotal role in helping the Red Roses secure 11 Six Nations titles, demonstrating her value across multiple tournament cycles. Her remarkable achievement of competing in five World Cups – unique among English players – speaks to her fitness, form, and importance to the team across nearly two decades.
Scarratt represented Lichfield and Loughborough Lightning at club level, and she’ll continue her association with the latter as an assistant coach. She has also accepted a specialist coaching and mentoring position with the RFU for the current season, ensuring her extensive knowledge and experience remain available to developing players in the English system.
The 2014 Rugby World Cup represented the peak of Scarratt’s playing achievements. She earned player of the final honors and finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with 70 points, performances that were instrumental in England winning the title. Five years later, her sustained world-class form earned her the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year award, the sport’s most prestigious individual accolade.
Scarratt’s versatility saw her excel in sevens rugby, captaining Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics to a fourth-place finish and helping England win bronze at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. In her retirement statement, she expressed gratitude for the privilege of representing England and pride in contributing to women’s rugby’s transformation from amateur to professional. She feels fortunate to step away on her own terms while remaining excited about her future coaching roles.
