Emily Scarratt believes she can banish her injury demons and bow out a World Cup winner on home soil in 2025.
The Red Roses legend, 33, was part of the England team crowned world champions in 2014 and also started the final when they suffered an agonising 13-10 defeat against New Zealand at Twickenham Stoop four years earlier.
The Black Ferns spoiled the party then – and another defeat against the same opponents in last year’s final thwarted any chances of a possible Scarratt retirement.
Ongoing neck and ankle issues have ruled Scarratt out of the ongoing TikTok Women’s Six Nations but with the World Cup back in England in two years’ time, the 108-cap centre is determined to bow out in style.
Scarratt, speaking ahead of England’s Round 4 showdown with Ireland in Cork on Saturday, said: “I’d love to win another World Cup.
“It’s hard when you’re injured to have that as a focus but fundamentally, that’s a goal and looking ahead at the prospect of a home World Cup as well, that’s incredibly exciting.
“I was fortunate to play in 2010 but the landscape has completely changed now, and that tournament could be so epic.
“Hopefully I’ve still got a bit more to give in the next couple of years.”
Scarratt has not featured in this year’s TikTok Women’s Six Nations, a tournament England have steamrolled so far after running in 31 tries across three convincing victories against Scotland, Wales and Italy.
With centres Tatyana Heard and Lagi Tuima excelling in her absence, Scarratt admits she will have a fight on hands to reclaim a Test shirt.
She added: “In terms of depth, we’re in a ridiculously good place.
“I’m not sure how many teams could survive with the injuries and disruption we’ve had.
“You look at some of the numbers with those out, retired or unavailable and it’s absolutely bonkers.
“That shows the strength of the domestic league because those players coming in are used to tough games, so when they’ve come into that environment it’s been relatively seamless.”
Cork is the next stop on England’s quest for a fourth Grand Slam in five years, with Simon Middleton’s side widely expected to run riot against winless Ireland on Saturday.
A victory at Musgrave Park would set up a Championship decider against France – with over 50,000 tickets having been sold for the Twickenham showdown.
Scarratt believes the occasion could be a watershed moment for the global growth of the women’s game.
She said: “We’re smashing through the glass ceilings.
“Hopefully the France game could be the real tipping point. I think there’s so many opportunities in the women’s game now and I am super excited to be a part of it.
“Hopefully we’ll see loads more people flood into Twickenham.”
O2 and the RFU have co-funded a half-time performance by the Sugababes for the Red Roses v France Women’s Six Nations match on Saturday 29 April. For tickets, click here.
Written by Ben Hart, Sportsbeat
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