Emily Scarratt has brought her playing career to a close, announcing retirement at 35 after 17 years in the England jersey. The iconic centre concludes her career with remarkable statistics: 119 international caps, 754 points as England’s record holder, and two World Cup victories. Her retirement represents a significant moment in rugby history, as one of the sport’s most decorated players steps away from competition.
Since making her debut in 2008, Scarratt has been synonymous with English rugby success. She contributed to an extraordinary 11 Six Nations championship victories, establishing herself as one of the tournament’s most successful players ever. Her unprecedented achievement of participating in five World Cups distinguishes her from all other English players in history. This remarkable longevity demonstrates not just physical durability but the ability to maintain elite performance standards across multiple eras and coaching regimes.
Scarratt’s 2014 World Cup campaign remains the gold standard for individual tournament performance. She finished as the competition’s leading scorer with 70 points and earned player of the final honors as England won the championship. Her displays throughout that tournament combined technical brilliance with mental toughness. Recognition continued throughout her career, with the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year award confirming her status among the sport’s all-time greats.
The versatile back also excelled in sevens rugby. As captain of Great Britain, she competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, leading the team at the world’s most prestigious sporting event. She added a Commonwealth Games bronze medal with England sevens in 2018, demonstrating her ability to succeed across different formats. At club level, she represented Lichfield and Loughborough Lightning with distinction, maintaining the same high standards that characterized her international career.
Retirement from playing signals the beginning of Scarratt’s coaching career. She will serve as an assistant coach with Loughborough Lightning next season and has also accepted a specialist coaching and mentoring role with the RFU, where her vast experience will benefit developing players. In her retirement message, Scarratt spoke with pride about witnessing women’s rugby’s transformation into a professional sport and expressed gratitude for the privilege of making this decision on her own terms. England head coach John Mitchell described her as a once-in-a-generation player whose leadership and quality set standards that defined an era of English rugby excellence.