Emily Scarratt has announced her retirement from international rugby at 35, bringing to a close a 17-year career defined by exceptional achievements. The England centre earned 119 caps, won two World Cups, and established herself as the Red Roses’ all-time leading scorer with 754 points before deciding to transition into coaching.
Since making her debut in 2008, Scarratt became synonymous with English rugby excellence. She played a crucial role in England winning 11 Six Nations championships and created history by becoming the only English player to compete in five World Cup tournaments. This longevity at the elite level demonstrates her sustained quality and importance to successive England teams.
Scarratt represented Lichfield and Loughborough Lightning at club level, and she’ll continue her association with Loughborough as an assistant coach. She has also accepted a specialist coaching and mentoring position with the RFU for the current season, ensuring her vast experience remains available to developing players in the English system.
The 2014 Rugby World Cup represented Scarratt’s finest tournament performance. She earned player of the final honors and topped the scoring charts with 70 points, delivering consistently excellent displays throughout the competition. These performances helped England win the title and established Scarratt as one of the world’s premier players. Her 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year award confirmed this status.
Beyond the traditional format, Scarratt excelled in sevens rugby. She captained Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics to a fourth-place finish and won a Commonwealth Games bronze with England sevens in 2018. England head coach John Mitchell described her as a once-in-a-generation player whose quality, composure, and leadership set standards. Scarratt expressed pride in witnessing women’s rugby’s professionalization and excitement about helping shape its future through her new coaching roles.
Five World Cups, Two Titles: Emily Scarratt’s Career in Numbers
14