A fifth World Cup would be 'very cool' - Scarratt

30th Aug 2024 | Source: BBC

Emily Scarratt has been capped 111 times by England

England centre Emily Scarratt says playing at home in a fifth World Cup next year would be "very cool" but is not thinking too far ahead.

The 34-year-old, who returned after over a year out before this year's Six Nations following neck surgery, starred a decade ago as the Red Roses won the World Cup against Canada.

However, Scarratt suffered final defeats at the hands of New Zealand in 2010, 2017 and 2022.

"Hopefully it’s going to be a mega World Cup in terms of exposure, fans and the noise around it," Scarratt said.

"It would obviously be very cool on a personal level but it's not something I’m thinking too much about.

"It would be nice to get to that one and slightly tip the ratio in a more favourable fashion for wins and losses."

Will Scarratt return to 13?

Ahead of the Red Roses looking to defend their WXV1 title in Canada this autumn, John Mitchell's side have two warm-up games, with the first against France at Kingsholm on 7 September, before taking on New Zealand on 14 September in the first test match at the newly named 'Allianz Stadium'.

It remains unclear what position Scarratt will play if selected following an ankle injury to outside centre Meg Jones.

Despite playing the majority of her rugby at outside centre, Scarratt was moved to inside centre by England head coach Mitchell for the Six Nations, but Jones' injury might now see a return to the 13 shirt.

"I've been running at both and cover both as have other players,” explained Scarratt. "I'm happy with either."

Despite struggling with injury and getting to grips with the new position during the Red Roses' Grand Slam-winning campaign, Mitchell is impressed by Scarratt in pre-season and confirmed a switch back could happen.

"Being a tall back in unstructured attack, the change of level at 12 and change of direction is needed very quickly," Mitchell added.

"We have allowed Emily to focus on her positional strength at 13 this summer and in pre-season she is looking really sharp.

"She is a different person and in a new mental state as well as physically being well prepared, it is exciting."