Emily Scarratt retires from Rugby

England and Loughborough Lightning centre Emily Scarratt has today announced her retirement from rugby with immediate effect.

The 35-year-old made the announcement on her social media platforms this morning, following on from winning her second World Cup last month. The decision to step away comes after a stellar 17-year career, and a decision she is proud to make "on my own terms."

A former teacher, ‘Scaz’ had a lengthy professional career, beginning with Lichfield where she spent 10 years before making the switch to Loughborough where she would make 53 appearances scoring over 300 points. She departs the playing arena as a two-time World Cup winner (2014, 2025), with the 2014 triumph being particularly memorable as she was named Player of the Final and finished as the tournament's top point-scorer.

The Most Decorated Red Rose

It’ll be her time wearing the Red Rose shirt that the Leicester-born back will be remembered for by many. Following her selection in John Mitchell’s squad for the recent World Cup, she now holds the record for appearing in the most World Cups, the 2025 tournament being her 5th, with the first coming back in 2010. She is also the top points scorer for the Red Roses with an incredible 754 points, all whilst being third highest on the women’s appearance list picking up 119 caps, scoring 54 tries in that time.

Scarratt has also amassed a grand total of 11 Six Nations titles, an extraordinary feat of consistency of performance and being in incredible shape.

Her individual accolades confirm her status as a global icon: she was named the World Rugby Women’s 15’s Player of the Year in 2019, a true testament to her impact to the team. This individual honour along with her other major achievements, including captaining Team GB in Rugby Sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics and winning a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in 2018.

The Impact of a Pioneer

Scarratt's importance off the field has been equally as important as on it. She has been a central figure in the transformation of women’s rugby from an amateur to a professional sport, a legacy she should be immensely proud of.

Her composure, goal-kicking, and leadership earned her the highest praise, with England Head Coach John Mitchell calling her a "once-in-a-generation player."

RFU CEO Bill Sweeney added that she has been a "role model for thousands of girls who have picked up the ball because of her."

A Future in Coaching and Mentoring

With Loughborough Lightening kicking off their season on Friday night away to Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop, it’s confirmed that Scaz won’t be going too far as it was revealed she will be staying with the club as an Assistant Coach for the backs division.

Scarratt will also take on a specialist coaching and mentoring role with the RFU this season, focusing on supporting player development across the England pathways and nurturing the next generation of Red Roses talent.

The Good, The Scaz and The Rugby fans will also be pleased to know that she will also be continuing her popular podcast with former England teammate Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt and Elma Smit, keeping her voice influential off the pitch.

You can see how Lightning get on against Harlequins live on BBC iPlayer this Friday at 19:30 in the opening round of the PWR.