Ilona Maher, a U.S. rugby star and social media sensation, made her debut for the Bristol Bears women’s team in front of a record crowd of 9,240 fans at Ashton Gate. Despite her presence, Bristol lost 40-17 to Gloucester-Hartpury in a Premiership Women’s Rugby match. Maher played as a substitute in the 61st minute but was unable to make a significant impact in her 20 minutes on the field. The anticipation surrounding her debut led to the relocation of the match to a larger venue to accommodate the demand for seats. Maher, who recently won a bronze medal in rugby sevens at the Paris Games, signed a three-month contract with Bristol in hopes of making the U.S. team for the 2025 Rugby World Cup. She has a large following on social media and previously competed on the “Dancing With The Stars” TV show. Bristol also set a record attendance for a stand-alone game in the Premiership, while Harlequins set a women’s club rugby attendance record at Twickenham Stadium. Maher’s return to the 15-a-side game is aimed at boosting her chances of representing the U.S. in future international competitions.
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