Why England legend Emily Scarratt is one of world's best

Emily Scarratt is unequivocal about her favourite moment in her glittering international rugby career, which has spanned 17 years, including 119 Test matches, 53 tries, a 754 all-time Red Roses points record, and a 88.14% win rate.

With six minutes remaining in a tense and error-laden 2014 Rugby World Cup final between England and Canada at Stade Jean-Bouin in Paris, featured a classic moment that secured the Red Roses their first title since 1994.

England led 14-9 when talismanic centre Scarratt blasted through the resolute Canadian defence and sprinted 30 meters to score the winning try.

For most of the last quarter, England had been pinned in their own half, but when they had a lineout just outside the Canadian 22, Scarratt made it count. Ironically, she received the ball after a miscommunication with fellow centre Rachael Burford and surged through, fending off Canadian players Andrea Burk and Mandy Marchak.

“My try against Canada is my favourite of all time,” said Scarratt. “The context of it, and where it was in the game, ensured that, barring any disaster, we’d won the World Cup. Seeing the reaction of my teammates was pure joy. The game was tight, with it ebbing and flowing, but at no point did we doubt that we would win.

“At the time, we didn’t realise how significant the response would be, but it put women’s rugby on the map. Everyone wanted a piece of us wearing our medals. I might have been a bit blurry-eyed and hungover before some of the morning TV shows.

“We met the Prime Minister, encountered Harry Potter, and found it easier to get posh seats at concerts and functions. You’d find yourself bumping into celebrities or being asked for selfies in the street, which felt surreal.

“I signed an Adidas sponsorship deal after the 2014 World Cup. Before that, I was delighted to receive a pair of free boots. Now, I’m getting a whole kit.”

The double World Cup winner recently retired from rugby after winning a home 2025 Rugby World Cup with the Red Roses, and will take up a coaching and mentoring role with the RFU and Loughborough Lightning.

Despite only featuring in one match of the entire 2025 World Cup campaign, her record equalling fifth World Cup, the centre will be remembered as one of the best England players to have ever graced the game, up there with the likes of New Zealand’s Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Kelly Brazier.

The Guardian reported after the 2014 final win, “Relentless, classy England swatted aside a disappointing Ireland to book a place in their fourth consecutive Women’s Rugby World Cup final. Marlie Packer scored two late converted tries, but Emily Scarratt was the standout performer for a team whose superior fitness and experience to their opponents.”

“Emily was the complete package in 2014,” acclaimed then-captain Katy Daley-McLean. “When we needed a moment of inspiration, Emily provided it. She scored tries, kicked goals, and offered leadership support. She remains a class act.”

The peak of 2014 may have had its roots four years earlier. England lost to the Black Ferns in the 2010 Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham Stoop. Despite being unbeaten in 23 consecutive Tests between 2007 and 2009, England, with home ground advantage, fell 13-10 to the Black Ferns, even after the Black Ferns received three yellow cards.

“It was tough, but I was a youngster, so I didn’t fully grasp what it meant at the time. It was only later that the hurt really set in,” Scarratt reflected. “You remember that the final margin was only three points, and you don’t want to feel that way again. You start asking questions like, ‘Could I have done more?’ That loss was a big kick in the backside. I felt I could have worked harder on my fitness and preparation.”

Rewind to 2008, when Scarratt was a surprising selection as an 18-year-old for the Nations Cup. She made her Test debut against the USA at Esher in August that year, and replacing Georgina Roberts, she scored her first international try less than 15 minutes into the match, contributing to England’s 50-3 victory.

“I had just finished my A-levels and was on holiday in Cyprus when I received a call from Gary Street saying I’d been selected for England,” Scarratt recalled with a smile. “The first thing I did was find a local gym. Tired is the politest way to describe my fitness at that point.”

In reality, Scarratt was a prodigy. She was the joint top try scorer in the 2009 Six Nations, won by England, with a hatrick in a 52-7 slaying of France.

The following year, England captured the Grand Slam, and Scarratt was again the top try scorer. A double she scored in a 31-0 whitewash against Wales was particularly significant, especially after a shocking defeat the previous season. She also scored a try against Ireland in their 100th Test, which England won 22-5.

Coach Gary Street was a pivotal figure in Scarratt’s ascent. “I owe him a lot. He gave me my chance and was great to be around. Gary is a showman; he enjoys holding court. He was very skilled at firing the girls up, building relationships, and he was always cracking jokes.

“There’s a memorable video of him trying to be a magician and fooling Kay Wilson. He flips a card over his head, convincing Kay that the card has disappeared. She thinks it’s gone, and the rest of the room is cracking up laughing as the card is right there.”

Between February 2011 and February 2013, England won 23 out of 25 Test matches, including five victories over the Black Ferns with Scarratt serving as the goal kicker in the 3-0 sweep in 2012.

One particularly notable day was December 2012, at Twickenham, when Scarratt scored a try in a 32-23 victory against the Black Ferns.

There were many highlights in the Six Nations between 2011 and 2013. In 2011, Scarratt scored two tries in a record 89-0 win against Scotland and added another try in a record 68-5 thrashing of Italy. In 2012, she finished as the top points scorer in the Six Nations, with a crucial try in a 15-3 win over France at Stade Charléty in Paris helping secure the Grand Slam.

In 2014, Scarratt was the leading points scorer in the Six Nations, but England missed out on the title to France. Nevertheless, the team was building momentum for the World Cup, driven by the disappointment of 2010.

To have been to three further World Cups since winning the 2014 trophy, is somewhat remarkable.

Many will remember her for her sweet running lines and efficiency from the boot, and altogether as one of the greatest players to have ever worn an England shirt.