Loughborough Lightning can today confirm that Emily Scarratt is leaving the club ahead of the 2026/27 season to take up a full-time position with the Red Roses.
The two-time World Cup winner held a player-coach role with Lightning prior to her playing retirement last October, before becoming a full-time assistant coach ahead of the 2025/26 season.
In January 2026, the 36-year-old was appointed England women’s lead attack and backs coach for the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations – where she added to her 11 titles as a player with her first as a coach after the Red Roses secured a Grand Slam.
Scarratt, who was awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List, joined Lightning following the 2018 Commonwealth Games with Great Britain 7s and made her debut against Worcester Warriors in January 2019.
Lightning player #063, Scarratt went on to make 53 appearances in African Violet, scoring 305 points in the process – a total only surpassed by Helena Rowland (319).
“Loughborough has been so much more than just a club to me over the past eight years,” she said.
“I’ve been surrounded by incredible people who have challenged and supported me in every way possible. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone connected with the club.
The Red Roses have a busy period ahead in WXV as they take on Australia (12 September), Canada (19 September) and New Zealand (26 September) at the CorpAcq Stadium, Sandy Park and Allianz Stadium respectively.
Reflecting on her time within England’s coaching team so far, Scarratt said: “The Six Nations was challenging but hugely rewarding in equal measure.
“I’d spent so many years in the Red Roses environment as a player, so stepping into a coaching role in the same setting was a new experience and, at times, slightly unnerving. There was plenty of uncertainty, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and learned so much already.
“It’s been a real privilege to work with such a talented group of players and staff, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we can continue to develop our attack. We have a fantastic pool of players who are eager to keep improving and express themselves on the pitch.
“There’s a huge amount of ambition within this team, and I’m proud to be part of the journey as we continue to grow and build towards the future.”
Loughborough Lightning head coach Nathan Smith said: “First and foremost, I want to congratulate Scaz for achieving this fantastic role on a full-time basis, and wish her all the very best moving forward.
“Of course, it is bittersweet for us as it means she will no longer be a part of our coaching team here at Lightning. During my time with the club, I have seen her grow as a coach, take on more responsibility and develop – initially alongside her playing duties and then becoming a full-time coach.
“We have been so lucky to have someone like her in our environment for as long as we have. Her legacy at Lightning is huge, whether it’s her achievements on the pitch or developing the next generation of players who will shine wearing an African Violet shirt.
“The recruitment strategy for players at Lightning is high potential, high character, and it is the same for staff.
“Although it is disappointing that we recruit high-potential people who are ultimately going to move on to bigger roles – for example, Sarah [Hunter] going from Loughborough to England – we know it is going to happen, and we are prepared for it.
“That is part of the Loughborough University DNA, which is evidenced by so many people working in the wider world of sport who have Loughborough University on their CV.
“Scaz is a special person – a generational talent, personality and ambassador for not only Lightning, the Red Roses and women’s rugby, but rugby in general.”