Emily Scarratt: 10 Facts as England legend commits long-term future to Red Roses

Thursday, 23 July 2026 at 13:06

byTom Sansom

Emily Scarratt has committed her long-term future to the Red Roses coaching team after impressing during her first campaign in international coaching.

, which she co-hosted alongside fellow leading voices in the women's rugby game. It is a fitting final fact about a player whose influence has extended far beyond the pitch, helping raise the profile of women's rugby throughout one of the most transformative periods in the sport's history.

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The two-time Rugby World Cup winner initially joined John Mitchell's staff as interim lead attack and backs coach for the 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations. Following an encouraging campaign, she will remain with England as Attack Coach throughout the next World Cup cycle. England's attacking game earned widespread praise during the tournament, with the Red Roses scoring 27 more points than their 2025 Six Nations total.

"The Six Nations was challenging but hugely rewarding in equal measure," Scarratt said. "I'd spent so many years in the Red Roses environment as a player, so stepping into a coaching role in the same setting was a new experience and, at times, slightly unnerving. There was plenty of uncertainty, but I've thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and learned so much already."

Mitchell praised Scarratt's "insight, calmness and experience", adding that she has "a brilliant coaching brain" and cares deeply about evolving England's game. Scarratt will continue her role as assistant coach with Loughborough Lightning, although her eight-year association with the club will now come to an end.

10 facts about Emily Scarratt

1. Scarratt is a two-time Rugby World Cup winner

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Scarratt's international career began with a World Cup final defeat by New Zealand in 2010, but she would eventually reach the summit of the women's game twice. She helped England lift the trophy in 2014, before playing a role in their successful 2025 campaign on home soil.

Scarratt's first title remains one of the defining performances of her career. Scarratt scored 16 points in England's 21-9 victory over Canada in the 2014 final, including the decisive try, and was named Player of the Match.

2. She made her England debut at just 18

Scarratt made her England debut against the USA in 2008, beginning an international career that would eventually span more than 17 years. That first appearance came before she could legally drink alchol in the land of her opponents, and she quickly established herself as one of the most exciting young players in the Red Roses set-up. By the time she retired, Scarratt had become one of the most decorated players in the history of English rugby.

3. Multi-Sports background: Turned down a basketball scholarship in America

Before rugby became her life, Scarratt was also an outstanding basketball player. After travelling to New York on a basketball tour with her local club, she was offered a scholarship to play in the United States at the age of 16. She ultimately turned down the opportunity, choosing instead to continue pursuing rugby. It proved to be a decision that changed the course of English women's rugby history.

4. Lived the Olympic Dream: Represented Team GB in Rio

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Scarratt's international career was not limited to the 15-a-side game. In 2016, she represented Great Britain at the Rio Olympics, captaining the team as they reached the bronze-medal match before finishing fourth. The experience gave Scarratt the chance to represent her country on one of sport's biggest stages and added an Olympic chapter to an already remarkable career.This accomplishment has since been emulated by the likes of full-back Ellie Kildunne, and Red Roses vice-captain Meg Jones.

5. Best in the World: She was named World Rugby Women's Player of the Year

Scarratt reached the peak of her individual powers in 2019, when she was named World Rugby Women's Player of the Year. The award recognised a player who had become one of the most complete centres in world rugby, combining powerful running, elite distribution, tactical intelligence and outstanding goal-kicking. Her ability to influence games from multiple positions made her one of the most difficult players in the international game to contain.

6. She finished her career as England's all-time leading points scorer

Scarratt finished her international playing career as England's record points scorer, with an incredible 754 points from 119 appearances. Her tally included 54 tries, 158 conversions and 56 penalties, underlining the remarkable breadth of her contribution to the Red Roses. Few players have been as influential in so many different ways, with Scarratt capable of winning matches through her running, passing, defence and kicking.

7. Scarratt won a staggering 11 Six Nations titles

Scarratt's trophy cabinet is packed with Six Nations silverware. Across her 17-year international career, she won 11 Women's Six Nations titles, including six Grand Slams with the Red Roses. That sustained success is one of the clearest indicators of her longevity and importance to England, as she remained a central figure across multiple generations of Red Roses players and coaching teams.

8. Scarratt has played in a record five Rugby World Cups

Scarratt became the first English rugby player — male or female — to appear at five Rugby World Cups when she represented England at the 2025 tournament. Her World Cup journey began as a 20-year-old in 2010 and continued through the 2014, 2017, 2021 and 2025 tournaments. Across those five campaigns, she experienced defeat, heartbreak and ultimately two World Cup triumphs — an extraordinary reflection of her longevity at the top of the sport.

9. From humble begins - Scarratt's story begins on a farm

Away from rugby, Scarratt grew up on her family's beef and arable farm in rural Leicestershire. Her upbringing was a world away from the professional sporting environment she would eventually inhabit, and she has previously spoken about the physical nature of farm life. During lockdown, she made the most of her agricultural surroundings, and even created a home gym using equipment like tractor tyres, hay bales and wooden pallets.

10. She is known in rugby circles as 'Scaz'

To teammates, coaches, pundits and supporters, Emily Scarratt is widely known by the nickname 'Scaz'. The name even became part of the title of her podcast, The Good, The Scaz and The Rugby