Emily Scarratt has brought her playing career to a close, announcing retirement at 35 after 17 years of leadership both as captain and senior player for England. The inspirational centre’s career includes 119 international caps, 754 points as the nation’s all-time leading scorer, and two World Cup victories. While she didn’t always wear the captain’s armband for England, her leadership influence permeated every team she represented.
From her 2008 debut, Scarratt’s leadership qualities emerged naturally. Even as a younger player contributing to 11 Six Nations championships, teammates looked to her for guidance in crucial moments. Her achievement of competing in five World Cups provided opportunities to lead formally and informally—whether as captain or senior voice, her influence shaped team culture and performance. Leadership isn’t just about wearing armbands; it’s about setting standards, inspiring teammates, and delivering when others look to you.
The 2014 Rugby World Cup showcased Scarratt’s leadership impact. She finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with 70 points, leading by example through performances that inspired teammates to elevate their own games. Her player of the final performance as England won the championship demonstrated the ultimate leadership—delivering when the team needed it most. The 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year award recognized her as not just the best player but a leader who made everyone around her better.
Her formal leadership role came at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she captained Great Britain through the unique pressures of Olympic competition. This captaincy showcased her ability to unite players from different nations under one banner. Winning Commonwealth Games bronze with England sevens in 2018 added another leadership achievement. At club level with Lichfield and Loughborough Lightning, her leadership helped develop younger players and establish winning cultures.
As she transitions from playing to coaching, Scarratt’s leadership will continue shaping rugby. She has been appointed as an assistant coach with Loughborough Lightning for the upcoming season and will also work with the RFU in a specialist coaching and mentoring role—positions where her leadership experience will prove invaluable. In her retirement statement, Scarratt expressed pride in being part of women’s rugby’s transformation into a professional sport and gratitude for the privilege of retiring on her own terms. England head coach John Mitchell described her as a once-in-a-generation player whose leadership, whether formal or informal, established standards and inspired teammates throughout her career, creating a leadership legacy that will influence English rugby for decades.