Ilona Maher set for Bristol debut in PWR final rematch in front of record crowd as ‘million dollar question’ will be answered
USA Rugby star Ilona Maher and an insert of Ashton Gate.
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.
The social media star rose to popularity during the 2024 Olympics when she became the most followed rugby page in the world with a whopping 4.6 million followers on Instagram. She has since featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated before taking part in Dancing with the Stars.
Maher to debut
Now, she will make her mark on the fifteen-a-side game as she makes her debut for the Bears in Bristol’s first game of the new year against rivals Gloucester-Hartpury at Ashton Gate on Sunday.
The clash was initially set to take place at Shaftesbury Park but due to unprecedented demand to watch the repeat of last season’s PWR final, it has been moved to the bigger stadium.
Maher has been named amongst the replacements for the match, notably in the number 23 jumper as she looks set to make her mark in the backline possibly on the wing or in the centres.
Ilona Maher ‘effect’ hailed by England legend who answers ‘million dollar question’ on USA superstar
Much has been made about whether the blockbuster talent would play in the pack or in the backs and this is an early sign that it will be the latter.
Meanwhile, head coach Dave Ward has made two alternations to his starting XV that was beaten by Saracens before Christmas.
Hollie Cunningham is recalled in the second-row, while at scrum-half, there’s a first start for Wales international Ffion Lewis, who partners Red Roses star Holly Aitchison at half-back.
“With a crowd of nearly 8,000 expected at Ashton Gate on Sunday, it’s a hugely exciting occasion and we’re hoping to give them something to cheer about,” Ward said.
“We understand the importance of the game in the context of our season, and the quality of the reigning champions, but we head into the game with confidence and relishing the occasion and the challenge.”
Bristol Bears v Gloucester-Hartpury
Bristol Bears Women’s team: 15 Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, 14 Reneeqa Bonner, 13 Courtney Keight, 12 Phoebe Murray, 11 Millie David, 10 Holly Aitchison, 9 Ffion Lewis, 8 Rownita Marston-Mulhearn, 7 Evie Gallagher, 6 Alisha Joyce-Butchers, 5 Abbie Ward (c), 4 Hollie Cunningham, 3 Sarah Bern, 2 Lark Atkin-Davies, 1 Hannah Botterman
Replacements: 16 Jess Sprague, 17 Simi Pam, 18. Holly Phillips, 19 Delaney Burns, 20 Gabriella Nigrelli, 21 Tilly Ryall, 22 Meg Varley, 23 Ilona Maher
Gloucester-Hartpury: 15 Emma Sing, 14 Mia Venner, 13 Hannah Jones, 12 Tatyana Heard, 11 Pip Hendy, 10 Lleucu George, 9 Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt (cc), 8 Alex Matthews, 7 Bethan Lewis, 6 Kate Williams, 5 Zoe Aldcroft (cc), 4 Sarah Beckett, 3 Maud Muir, 2 Neve Jones, 1 Mackenzie Carson
Replacements: 16 Lucy Simpson, 17 Kathryn Buggy, 18 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 19 Steph Else, 20 Georgia Brock, 21 Meg Davies, 22 Ellie Green, 23 Rachel Lund
Venue: Ashton Gate
Kick-off: 12.45 GMT
