English rugby union legend Emily Scarratt has announced her retirement from rugby.
Scarratt, 35, is a two-time Women’s Rugby World Cup winner, starred in the 2014 triumph and was a key figure in the Red Roses’ return to rugby’s biggest honour, in September 2025.
England head coach John Mitchell described her as a “once-in-a-generation player” and RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney called her “a role model for thousands”.
Scarratt has gone down as one of England’s greatest ever players after a 17-year career at the top of the sport. She made her debut for England in 2008 and went on to win 119 caps.
She was a key figure behind England’s dominance of the Northern Hemisphere women’s game, winning 11 Six Nations titles. She also captained Team GB at the 2016 Rio Olympics and won a Commonwealth bronze medal with England in 2018.
While she goes down as one of the great teammates and centers, she also earned several personal records and honors.
In 2019, she was named World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year and is also the Red Roses’ all-time top scorer with 754 points with 54 tries, 158 conversions and 56 penalties.
She also holds a unique place in British history in both the men’s and women’s competitions. She is the first player to appear in five World Cups, achieving the feat in August when she came off the bench in the Red Roses’ 2025 opener against the United States.
“It has been a great honor to wear the England shirt and represent my country for so many years,” Scarratt said. “Rugby has given me everything: great teammates, memories and experiences I will carry with me forever.
“While I still love the game, I feel it’s the right time to step away. You don’t always get the chance to make your own decisions in sports, but I feel very lucky to be able to make my own decisions and I’m proud of everything I’ve been a part of.”
“From my first cap in 2008 to being sent off in front of over 80,000 people at the World Cup final, it has been an incredible journey. I am extremely proud to have witnessed and been a part of the transformation of women’s rugby from amateur to professional.”
“I would like to say that my family, my mum, dad and brother Joe have supported me from the beginning and it has been amazing from playing at Leicester Forest to going to the Allianz Stadium.
“I would like to thank my teachers, my coaches and everyone who has supported me from my first club to Lichfield, Loughborough Lightning and England. I would also like to thank the amazing fans of women’s rugby who are growing in number and make playing in England so special.”
“Although it is the right time to stop playing, I am really excited to continue to be involved with the RFU and help shape the future of the game. The women’s game is in a great place and I am proud to still be part of that journey.”
Scarratt will now take up a specialist coaching and mentoring role at the RFU, which will focus on “supporting the development of players across England and helping develop the next generation of talent”.
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Red Roses head coach John Mitchell added: “Emily is a once-in-a-generation player. Her quality, calm under pressure and ability to lead by example set the standard for everyone around her.” “There couldn’t be a better example of the role she played in the recent World Cup, where she added immense value off the field even though she didn’t play as much as expected. She is truly a special person.”
“She has had a tremendous impact on the Red Roses and on women’s rugby around the world, and we are thrilled that she will continue to share that experience in another role.”
Bill Sweeney, CEO of the RFU, said: “Emily’s contribution to England Rugby cannot be overstated. On and off the field, she was a professional role model, a leader and a role model for the thousands of girls who picked up a ball because of her. We are delighted that she will remain part of the England Rugby family for many seasons to come and continue to help shape its future.”