When Emily Scarratt returns to Allianz Stadium this Saturday, she'll be stepping into a new role—one that underscores a growing shift in women's rugby.
As England's record points-scorer transitions from player to lead attack and backs coach for the 2026 Women's Six Nations, she brings firsthand insight into the transformative impact of female leadership in the sport.
Scarratt, who recently retired after England's World Cup victory, emphasized the profound value of women coaching women's teams. "It is huge," she stated. "Having females around the environment makes a big difference. Just being able to check in with players differently, have different sorts of conversations, and handle simple logistics like comfortably entering changing rooms—it all matters."
She highlighted how players often feel more at ease sharing concerns with female coaches, noting, "The girls can say stuff to me that perhaps they wouldn't feel comfortable saying to either an older coach and/or a male coach."
This coaching evolution comes as England cultivates homegrown talent, with Scarratt's former teammate Sarah Hunter serving as defence coach. While the Red Roses continue to await a female head coach, Scarratt suggested head coach John Mitchell has been strategically nurturing this transition. "I think it has been part of his master plan all along," she remarked.
The push for greater female representation in coaching aligns with broader trends in women's sports. At last year's Women's Rugby World Cup, 32% of coaches were female—a significant jump from 15% in 2021, though still short of World Rugby's 40% target. Similarly, FIFA recently mandated that all teams in women's football tournaments include at least one female head or assistant coach.
Scarratt's journey from water carrier during the World Cup to key coaching figure symbolizes both personal growth and the sport's evolving landscape. As more retired players like her transition into coaching roles, women's rugby stands to benefit from their unique perspectives and lived experiences on the field.