Emily Scarratt has officially retired from professional rugby at 35, bringing to a close a 17-year international career complemented by distinguished club service. The celebrated centre finishes with 119 England caps, 754 points as the nation’s record holder, and two World Cup victories. Throughout her career, she maintained strong connections to club rugby, representing Lichfield and Loughborough Lightning with the same dedication she showed at international level.
From her 2008 England debut, Scarratt understood the importance of club rugby in developing and maintaining her skills. While contributing to 11 Six Nations championship victories at international level, she remained committed to her club teams, earning respect throughout the domestic game. Her achievement of competing in five World Cups remains unmatched in English rugby history, yet she never lost sight of the grassroots level that shaped her career.
Scarratt’s 2014 World Cup campaign provided her career-defining performances. She finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 70 points and was named player of the final as England claimed the championship. Her displays showcased skills honed through years of club rugby combined with international experience. This sustained excellence culminated in the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year award, recognizing her complete approach to the game.
The versatile back also excelled in sevens rugby. She captained Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics and won a Commonwealth Games bronze medal with England sevens in 2018. Throughout these achievements, she maintained her club commitments, understanding that strength at the grassroots level benefits the entire sport. Her professionalism at Lichfield and Loughborough Lightning set standards for combining club and international rugby.
Appropriately, Scarratt’s next chapter involves returning to club rugby in a coaching capacity. She will serve as an assistant coach with Loughborough Lightning next season, bringing her vast experience back to the club level. She has also accepted a specialist coaching and mentoring role with the RFU. In her retirement statement, Scarratt expressed pride in being part of women’s rugby’s transformation into a professional sport and gratitude for the opportunity to retire on her own terms. England head coach John Mitchell described her as a once-in-a-generation player whose commitment to all levels of rugby elevated the entire sport.
