Emily Scarratt: A fifth World Cup would be ‘very cool’

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.”