Ilona Maher announces starting line-up for Bristol Bears women’s premiership rugby match against Exeter Chiefs Rugby League News

American rugby star Ilona Maher will make her first start for Bristol Bears in the Women’s Premiership Women’s Rugby Premiership against Exeter Chiefs on Sunday.

The 28-year-old, who helped the United States win a bronze medal in the rugby sevens competition at the Paris Olympics, will start on the wing against Exeter on Sunday, a 40-17 loss at Bristol She made her debut as a substitute after an hour for the defending team. Last week’s winner, Gloucester-Hartpury.

The arrival of Maher, the most followed rugby player on social media, boosted ticket sales and her debut attracted 9,240 fans to Ashton Gate, a league record attendance.

Exeter did not release figures but said Sunday’s game at Sandy Park would have “our biggest home crowd of the season”.

Maher has more than 8 million followers combined on Instagram and TikTok. She also won runner-up dancing with the stars – US equivalent Strictly Come Dancing.

Maher makes PWR debut at Bristol

“I was definitely very nervous. But then I thought I wanted to make my teammates proud and show that I deserved to be there. When I actually got on the field I was like ‘OK, this is rugby’ and that was my thing over the past ten I’ve been doing this for years and it’s in my blood.

“I didn’t feel nervous before the game or this morning. Until I was on the bench. I think being a substitute is almost more nerve-wracking because you think ‘Maybe I’m going to touch the ball once and then I’m not going to screw it up, But I felt calm once I got out.”

The Vermont native will return to 15-a-side rugby in hopes of increasing her chances of making the U.S. team for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.

Last Sunday’s match was her first 15-a-side appearance since 2021.

The United States will open the World Cup on August 22 in Sunderland against favorites England.

Maher’s three-month contract with Bristol began in a repeat of last season’s Premier League final, coming on after 60 minutes with her team trailing after Gloucester had scored three tries in eight minutes and earned a bonus point. 18 points.

Maher has already made a major impact, driving a huge increase in replica shirt sales, while Bristol’s Instagram followers have grown from 21,000 to 67,000 since her signing was announced.

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