Emily Scarratt: Former Red Roses captain and England World Cup winner announces retirement from rugby union | Rugby union news
Former England captain and two-time World Cup winner Emily Scarratt has announced her retirement from all levels of rugby union.
The 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year made her international debut in 2008 and won 119 caps for the Red Roses, with Scarratt part of the team that won the Rugby World Cup – on home soil – in September.
Her final international appearance came against the United States, where she became the first English player – male or female – to appear in five Rugby World Cups, with Scarratt finishing her career as the Red Roses’ all-time leading points scorer.
“It has been a great privilege to wear the England jersey and represent my country for so many years,” Scarratt said. “Rugby has given me everything: incredible teammates, memories and experiences that I will carry with me forever.
“I still love the game, but now is the time to step back. In sport, you don’t always get the chance to make that decision for yourself, and I feel so lucky to do it on my own terms, proud of everything I’ve been a part of.
“From my first cap in 2008 to appearing in front of over 80,000 people in a World Cup final, the journey has been incredible. To have witnessed and played a part in the transformation of women’s rugby from amateur to professional is something I am immensely proud of.”
Scarratt amassed 754 points for the Red Roses from 54 tries, 158 conversions and 56 penalties, with Scarratt third on the all-time England women’s team list and all-time total tries scored.
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Red Rose head coach John Mitchell added: “Emily is a once-in-a-generation player. Her quality, calm under pressure and ability to lead by example sets the standard for everyone around her.
“There is no better example than the role she played at the recent World Cup, where she provided immense value off the pitch, even though she didn’t play as much as she could have hoped. That’s exactly the kind of special person she is.
“She has had a huge impact on the Red Roses and women’s rugby around the world, and we are delighted that she will continue to share that experience through a different role.”
Having already started her coaching journey with Loughborough Lightning in Women’s Premiership rugby, she will take on a specialist coaching and mentoring role with the RFU this season, supporting player development throughout the England pathway and helping to nurture the next generation of talent.
RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney added: “Emily’s contribution to English rugby cannot be overstated – on and off the field she has been a model professional, a leader and a role model to thousands of girls who have picked up the ball because of her.
“We are delighted that she will remain part of the England Rugby family in the coming season and will continue to help shape its future.”
