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.

Ilona Maher admits to nerves ahead of much-anticipated Bristol debut - The social media sensation played her part in attracting a record crowd to Ashton Gate.

Ilona Maher said there were nerves ahead of her Bristol Bears debut but believes she has taken a step forward in adjusting to the full-sided format of rugby.

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,

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.

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.

US SEVENS STAR Ilona Maher is set for her Bristol Bears debut after being named on the bench for Gloucester-Hartpury’s visit to Ashton Gate on Sunday. Maher, who has become a social media sensation with 3.