England’s two-time World Cup winner Scarratt retires

After winning her second World Cup of her career last month, England legend Emily Scarratt has announced her retirement.

With 754 points, Scarratt is England women’s all-time top scorer, an 11-time Six Nations champion and World Player of the Year in 2019.

Scarratt, 35, described her country as “the greatest privilege,” while Red Roses head coach John Mitchell referred to her as “a once in a generation player.”

She became the first female English player to compete in five Rugby World Cups earlier this year.

Scarratt will continue to coach for the Premiership Women’s Rugby League’s Loughborough Lightning while also serving as a specialist coach and mentor.

“I’m really excited to stay involved with the RFU and contribute to the future of the game,” she continued. “As soon as it’s the right time to stop playing, I’m really excited.”

“I’m proud to still be a part of the women’s game’s journey,” the statement reads.

On and off the field, Emily has been a model professional, leader, and role model for thousands of girls who have picked up the ball because of her, according to RFU CEO Bill Sweeney.

The last of Scarratt’s 119 caps, having made her international debut in 2008, came off the bench in Sunderland for the first match of the Rugby World Cup. Later in the tournament, she was expected to play but suffered a shoulder injury.

She continued to play off-field for the team throughout the tournament, earning even more fans for her sincerity and devotion to the team.

The center spent 13 months on the sidelines after suffering a serious neck injury that required surgery in 2023, which made it her fifth Rugby World Cup.

She won 16 of England’s 21 points in the 2014 Rugby World Cup final against Canada, which is considered one of the sport’s greatest players.

Emily Scarratt’s trophy cabinet has just enough room for a second World Cup medal, which is hardly noteworthy in the sport.

She declined a basketball scholarship to concentrate on rugby union after growing up in rural Leicestershire.

She has a silky running and kick-making career that is arguably her most memorable moment, winning the World Cup final in 2014 with that title.

Despite growing media coverage, where her charm shines, she has long evaded the spotlight.

After she once mentioned on her podcast that she liked them, fans were frequently seen clutching bags of croissants as presents at games.