Emily Scarratt Hangs Up Boots: Reflecting on 11 Six Nations Titles

At 35, Emily Scarratt has announced her retirement from playing rugby, concluding a 17-year international career that established her as England’s most decorated player. The centre’s final statistics include 119 caps, 754 points as the nation’s all-time leading scorer, and two World Cup championships. Her contribution to 11 Six Nations titles alone cements her place in rugby history.
Scarratt’s England journey began in 2008, marking the start of a career that would be defined by sustained success. She became a cornerstone of England’s Six Nations dominance, with her 11 championship victories reflecting her consistency and importance to the team. Her unprecedented achievement of competing in five World Cups distinguishes her from all other English players. This remarkable longevity demonstrates sustained excellence across multiple eras of the game and different coaching philosophies.
The 2014 Rugby World Cup represents Scarratt’s career pinnacle. She dominated the tournament, finishing as the leading scorer with 70 points and earning player of the final honors as England won the championship. Her performances showcased complete mastery of her position and the ability to deliver in crucial moments. This excellence continued throughout her career, culminating in the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year award that recognized her as the sport’s finest performer.
Beyond 15-a-side rugby, Scarratt also achieved success in sevens. She captained Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics, leading the team at the world’s most prestigious sporting event. She added a Commonwealth Games bronze medal with England sevens in 2018, demonstrating her versatility across formats. At club level, she represented Lichfield and Loughborough Lightning with distinction, earning admiration for her professionalism.
Retirement from playing marks the beginning of Scarratt’s coaching career. She will serve as an assistant coach with Loughborough Lightning next season and has also accepted a specialist coaching and mentoring role with the RFU, where her experience will benefit developing players. In her retirement announcement, Scarratt expressed pride in being part of women’s rugby’s journey to professionalism and gratitude for the privilege of retiring on her own terms. England head coach John Mitchell paid tribute to her as a generational talent whose leadership and quality set standards that defined an era of English rugby.