England's record points-scorer Emily Scarratt has agreed to join the Red Roses coaching set-up on a permanent basis, having initially taken on the role as lead attack and backs coach on an interim footing for this year's Women's Six Nations. Her move underlines the growing role former players are taking in coaching the women's game, coming after England secured an eighth consecutive Six Nations title and follows the departure of former attack coach Lou Meadows after last year's World Cup win.

Scarratt, 36, had returned to her assistant coaching post at Premiership Women's Rugby side Loughborough Lightning after the Six Nations, but will now leave the club after eight years there as player and coach to focus fully on the national side. Under her guidance, England's attack scored 27 more points in the 2026 Six Nations than in 2025, and head coach John Mitchell praised the insight and calmness she has brought to the environment. Scarratt, who won 119 caps, two World Cups and is the only English player of either sex to appear at five Rugby World Cups, retired from playing after last September's World Cup triumph at a sold-out Allianz Stadium.