By BBC Sport journalist Alastair Telfer and rugby union commentator Sara Orchard. 55 minutes ago. On Saturday, Emily Scarratt will return to Allianz Stadium in a new capacity compared to her role during England’s World Cup triumph in September. The Red Roses’ all-time leading points scorer, who had been player-coaching at Loughborough Lightning, retired after England’s final win against Canada. Due to injuries and intense competition in the centres, arguably England’s greatest women’s player was relegated to serving as the team’s water carrier on the sidelines. In that position, she stayed linked to the coaching staff through an earpiece, relaying key insights to the team. She now rejoins for the 70 Women’s Six Nations as England’s new lead attack and backs coach, succeeding former assistant Lou Meadows. With her ex-teammate Sarah Hunter as the defence coach, England is nurturing two of the sport’s top talents amid the Red Roses’ ongoing wait for a female head coach. Asked about the benefits of women coaching women’s teams, Scarratt told BBC Sport: “It’s massive. I’ve spent much of my career coached by men—excellent men with vast experience who bring valuable perspectives from their backgrounds into our game. Having women in the setup makes a tremendous difference.” Being able to connect with players in varied ways, engage in different kinds of discussions, and comfortably enter the changing room to grab someone you know—just simple logistics like that… “I found that the girls felt able to tell me things they might not feel comfortable sharing with an older coach or a male coach.” Photo source: Getty Images. Last year’s Women’s World Cup saw 32% of coaches being female, an increase from 15% in 2021. However, that figure did not reach the 40% goal established by World Rugby following the prior tournament in New Zealand. In March, it was revealed that all teams in FIFA’s women’s football events must now have at least one female head coach or assistant coach under new rules. When asked if head coach John Mitchell is deliberately seeking to advance talented female coaches, Scarratt said to BBC Sport: “I don’t know if Mitch [Mitchell] will admit it or not, but I think it has been part of his master plan all along. There are a few of us who have only just recently retired.” There are also a few veteran players who, I’m certain, would be eager to stay involved with the RFU or take up coaching roles somewhere. “He [John Mitchell] understood that, along with [RFU head of women’s performance] Charlie Hayter, in terms of future planning.”
