Emily Scarratt, England’s most decorated rugby player, has announced her retirement from playing at age 35 after a 17-year international career. The centre departs with a legacy that includes 119 caps, 754 points as England’s all-time leading scorer, and two World Cup victories. Her retirement signals the end of an era for English women’s rugby, as one of the sport’s defining figures steps away from competition.
From her 2008 debut, Scarratt quickly established herself as an essential member of the England setup. She became synonymous with success, playing pivotal roles in 11 Six Nations championship victories that cemented England’s status as European rugby’s dominant force. Her achievement of competing in five World Cups remains unmatched in English rugby history, reflecting sustained excellence across multiple generations of players and coaches. This longevity required continuous adaptation to evolving game styles while maintaining peak performance levels.
Scarratt’s career-defining moment came at the 2014 Rugby World Cup. She finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with 70 points and was named player of the final as England secured the championship. Her performances throughout that competition are regarded as among the greatest individual displays in rugby World Cup history. This sustained brilliance culminated in the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year award, confirming her position among the game’s all-time greats.
The versatile back also made her mark in sevens rugby. As captain of Great Britain, she competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, leading the team on sport’s biggest stage. She won a Commonwealth Games bronze medal with England sevens in 2018, adding further accomplishment to her already impressive career. At club level, she represented Lichfield and Loughborough Lightning with distinction, earning respect throughout the domestic game for her professionalism.
Retirement from playing marks the beginning of Scarratt’s coaching career. She will join Loughborough Lightning as an assistant coach for the upcoming season and has also accepted a specialist coaching and mentoring role with the RFU, where she will work with developing players. In her retirement statement, Scarratt expressed pride in being part of women’s rugby’s transformation into a professional sport and gratitude for the privilege of retiring on her own terms. England head coach John Mitchell described her as a once-in-a-generation player whose leadership and consistent quality established standards that defined an era.