Emily Scarratt has brought her playing career to an end, announcing retirement at 35 after a journey that began with her England debut in 2008. The iconic centre’s path from that first appearance to her final match included 119 caps, 754 points as England’s all-time leading scorer, and two World Cup victories. Her journey represents one of rugby’s great success stories.
That 2008 debut marked the beginning of something special. Scarratt quickly established herself, contributing to what would eventually become 11 Six Nations championship victories. Her journey included the unprecedented achievement of competing in five World Cups, each tournament adding new chapters to her story. From promising youngster to established star to veteran leader, her journey showcased continuous growth and adaptation.
The 2014 Rugby World Cup represented a crucial milestone in Scarratt’s journey. She finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with 70 points and earned player of the final honors as England won the championship, confirming her status as a world-class player. Her journey continued to the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year award, recognizing her as the sport’s premier performer.
Her journey extended beyond fifteens rugby. Captaining Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics added an Olympic chapter to her story. Winning Commonwealth Games bronze with England sevens in 2018 provided another milestone. At club level, her journey included service to Lichfield and Loughborough Lightning, maintaining grassroots connections throughout.
As her playing journey concludes, a new coaching journey begins. 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 the journey from rugby’s amateur era to professional sport and gratitude for the opportunity to retire on her own terms. England head coach John Mitchell paid tribute to her as a once-in-a-generation player whose journey from debut to retirement established a roadmap for excellence that will guide future generations.