Emily Scarratt has officially retired from professional rugby at 35, concluding a 17-year international career that will inspire future generations of English players. The legendary centre finishes with 119 caps, 754 points as England’s all-time leading scorer, and two World Cup victories. Beyond statistics, her lasting legacy lies in the countless young players she inspired and the standards she established.
From her 2008 debut through to her final appearance, Scarratt served as a role model for aspiring rugby players. Her contribution to 11 Six Nations championships provided young players with a template for success—dedication, professionalism, and consistent excellence. Her achievement of competing in five World Cups demonstrated what sustained commitment could achieve, inspiring countless youngsters to pursue their own rugby dreams.
The 2014 Rugby World Cup created defining images of excellence that inspired a generation. Scarratt’s tournament-leading 70 points and player of the final performance as England won the championship showed young players what was possible. Her receipt of the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year award sent a powerful message about the heights women’s rugby players could reach.
Beyond on-field achievements, Scarratt’s professionalism at every level—from club rugby with Lichfield and Loughborough Lightning to captaining Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics and winning Commonwealth Games bronze—demonstrated the complete approach required for success. Her willingness to represent her country in multiple formats inspired versatility in young players.
Appropriately, Scarratt’s next chapter involves directly inspiring and developing future players. She has accepted an assistant coaching position with Loughborough Lightning for the upcoming season and will also work with the RFU in a specialist coaching and mentoring role. 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 legacy extends far beyond her own achievements to the countless players she inspired to follow in her footsteps.