Scarratt Champions Female Coaching Revolution in Women's Rugby

England rugby legend Emily Scarratt believes that increasing the number of female coaches in women's rugby would create a seismic shift in the sport's development. The newly appointed Red Roses attack and backs coach, who hung up her boots after England's World Cup triumph last September, is passionate about creating pathways for women to transition into coaching roles.

Speaking ahead of the 2026 Women's Six Nations, Scarratt emphasized the unique value that female coaches bring to the game. Her appointment, alongside former teammate Sarah Hunter as defense coach, represents a strategic move by head coach John Mitchell to develop homegrown talent within the English setup.

"The impact is absolutely massive," Scarratt explained when discussing female representation in coaching. "While I've been fortunate to work with exceptional male coaches throughout my career, having women in the environment creates different dynamics. There's an accessibility factor - being able to walk into changing rooms naturally, having conversations that players might find more comfortable sharing with someone who's walked in their shoes."

The statistics paint a concerning picture of representation in women's rugby coaching. At the recent Women's World Cup, only 32% of coaches were female, falling well short of World Rugby's 40% target. This disparity becomes even more stark when examining head coaching positions, where just three women led teams at the tournament - France, Australia, and Japan.

Scarratt's transition from player to coach has required navigating complex relationships with former teammates. The challenge of coaching players she once shared rooms with, including scrum-half Natasha Hunt, has meant establishing new professional boundaries while maintaining the camaraderie that defines successful teams.

"There are certain conversations I can no longer have with players because they're not appropriate for them to know certain information," she acknowledged. "But there's no point pretending we're not friends or that we can't share moments together. That would actually be stranger."

Her former captain Sarah Hunter, who has already begun her coaching journey, was once tipped by previous head coach Simon Middleton as a future England head coach. Mitchell believes both women have the credentials to potentially lead the team by the 2033 World Cup.

"They've been tested at the highest level throughout their careers and possess incredible curiosity," Mitchell noted. "You don't earn over 100 Test caps or become England's most-capped women's player without extraordinary work ethic and dedication."

The broader challenge extends beyond just appointing former players to coaching positions. Scarratt argues that rugby needs to improve accessibility and visibility of coaching opportunities for women who haven't played at the elite level.

"We need to create better pathways - whether through upskilling programs, making coaching more accessible, or simply showing that these opportunities exist," she stated. "There's still a shortage of qualified candidates beyond ex-players, and that needs to change if we want genuine progress."

As Scarratt prepares for her first Six Nations as a coach, her presence on the touchline represents more than tactical expertise. She embodies the possibility of what women's rugby can become when barriers are removed and opportunities are created for those who understand the game from the inside out.