U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher recently made her debut for the Bristol Bears women's team in front of a record home crowd of 9,240 fans at Ashton Gate. Despite her presence, Bristol Bears faced a 40-17 defeat against defending champion Gloucester-Hartpury in a Premiership Women’s Rugby match.
Maher, known as the 'most followed rugby player on the planet,' entered the game as a substitute in the 61st minute when Bristol was trailing 28-10. During her 20 minutes on the field, Maher actively participated in a couple of rucks and sought opportunities off the wing, although she struggled to significantly impact the game's outcome.
The anticipation surrounding Maher's debut was evident as the previous attendance record for a Bristol women’s home match was shattered, with the match being relocated to a larger venue to accommodate the demand for seats.
The 28-year-old Maher, who recently helped the U.S. secure a bronze medal in rugby sevens at the Paris Games, signed a three-month contract with Bristol in southwestern England. She resumed training with the team in December after the initial signing announcement before returning to the United States for the holidays.
With over 8 million followers on Instagram and TikTok, Maher's popularity extends beyond the rugby field, as she was a runner-up on the “Dancing With The Stars' TV show. The Vermont native aims to enhance her chances of representing the U.S. at the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England by transitioning back to the 15-a-side game, where she can play at wing or center.
Bristol also noted that the record attendance of 9,240 fans marked a milestone for a stand-alone game in the Premiership. Harlequins, the league leaders, set a women’s club rugby attendance record on December 28 with 18,055 fans witnessing their victory over Leicester Tigers at Twickenham Stadium, although this match was part of a doubleheader with the Harlequins men’s team.
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