U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher made her debut for the Bristol Bears women’s team in front of a record home crowd of 9,240 fans on Sunday. But Maher, “ the most followed rugby player on the planet,” could not prevent Bristol from losing 40-17 to defending champion Gloucester-Hartpury in a Premiership Women’s Rugby match.

Olympic rugby bronze medalist Ilona Maher made her debut on the pitch in England on Sunday, Jan. 5 — and it resulted in the Bristol Bears having to change stadiums to accommodate her fans.

Ticket sales have broken a record ahead of U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher making her debut for the Bristol Bears women’s team.

Club remain tight-lipped about whether American superstar will play against local rivals Gloucester-Hartpury on Sunday

From the Olympics to DWTS to Ashton Gate Stadium, Ilona Maher is on a roll. The American Bronze Medalist has signed a three-month contract with the Bristol Bears ahead of the 2025 Rugby World Cup. Maher kicks off her Bears journey with a match against reigning Premiership Women’s Rugby champions Gloucester-Hartpury this Sunday,

Ilona Maher made her Bristol Bears debut but could not prevent Gloucester-Hartpury scoring a valuable win in the race for a PWR top-four finish.

U.S. Olympic bronze medallist Ilona Maher debuted for Bristol Bears in a loss to Gloucester-Hartpury, drawing a record crowd to Ashton Gate stadium. Known for her massive social media following, Maher's popularity surged post-Olympics.