After accumulating 754 points across 119 appearances for England, Emily Scarratt has announced her retirement from international rugby at age 35. The two-time World Cup winner’s 17-year career established her as one of the finest players in the sport’s history, and she will now focus on coaching and mentoring the next generation.
Scarratt’s debut came in 2008, and she quickly became an integral part of England’s success. She contributed to 11 Six Nations championship victories and achieved the remarkable feat of competing in five World Cups – something no other English player has done. This longevity at the highest level speaks to her exceptional fitness, enduring quality, and adaptability across different coaching systems.
The centre will remain involved in rugby through assistant coaching at Loughborough Lightning, where she played at club level alongside representing Lichfield earlier in her career. She has also accepted a specialist coaching and mentoring role with the RFU, ensuring her extensive knowledge and experience continue to benefit English rugby.
Scarratt’s 2014 World Cup performance stands as one of the tournament’s all-time great displays. She was named player of the final and finished as leading scorer with 70 points, dominating throughout the competition. Five years later, her sustained excellence earned her the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year award, confirming her status among the sport’s elite.
Her versatility saw her excel in sevens rugby as well, captaining Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics to fourth place and helping England win bronze at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. In her retirement announcement, Scarratt expressed gratitude for representing England and pride in witnessing women’s rugby’s transformation into a professional sport. She feels fortunate to retire on her own terms and is excited about continuing to contribute through coaching roles.