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.

The pre-match metallic fireworks that erupted into the sky was English rugby’s way of welcoming its latest superstar. Ilona Maher, the most followed rugby player on social media and now as a cult heroine in the sport,

Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher made her Bristol Bears debut on Sunday and brought in a record number of fans. A record 9,420 fans were in attendance to watch Maher make her Premiership Women's Rugby league debut against defending champion Gloucester-Hartpury.

Maher will be "officially unveiled" to fans this weekend, and the Bristol Bears have already moved their Sunday game to a larger venue to accommodate more 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.

The 28-year-old is the world’s most followed rugby player on Instagram and TikTok. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Ilona Maher's mission to grow rugby is far from done, and while she admits she loves being a "superstar" of the game, the United States star said the sport desperately needs to showcase more athletes to help take rugby union to new fans and audiences.

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.

Social media sensation and USA rugby star Ilona Maher is set to make her Bristol Bears and Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) debut. In early December last year, Maher began her pursuit of making the USA Women’s team for the upcoming Rugby World Cup by signing a short-term deal with the Bears.