Ilona Maher, the world’s most followed female rugby player on social media, beat most of the staff and trained on New Year’s Day as she aims to make the move to the Bristol Bears.
The American’s move to Bristol on a three-month contract is a significant acquisition for Premiership Women’s Rugby, with Maher boasting more than eight million followers across social media platforms.
The video announcing her signing attracted more than seven million views on TikTok and she is set to make her debut on Sunday after head coach Dave Ward named her on the bench for his team’s West derby Country v Gloucester-Hartpury. A crowd of around 8,000 is expected at Ashton Gate, which would be a record attendance for a Bristol Bears women’s match.
“[She has been] professional, ready to go. She was there yesterday – New Year’s Day – when no one was there,” Ward said. “She’s doing everything she can and we want to make sure she’s right and so do we. She actually had a little illness but so far so good.
He added: “She was there before most of our staff this morning (Thursday). She didn’t really beat me, but she was pretty close, she just wants to go out there as best she can and if we can support her we definitely will.
Mainly a Sevens player, after a breakthrough at the Paris Olympics, Maher’s profile saw her compete in the American version of Strictly Come Dancefinishing second on Dancing with the starsbut his attention shifted to rugby.
Maher’s last caps for the United States in the XVs were in 2021, but with her sights firmly set on the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England in the autumn, she signed for Bristol on a short-term deal.
“The temptation is to start her at eight and make her captain, but that’s not going to happen,” Ward said, such is the extent of her reach in the sport.
Although she’s “down to earth” and “professional”, Ward admits the star signing isn’t “quite herself yet” and although her competitive side showed up during a game of volleyball, it remains to be seen how long it will be before she breaks loose. on the field in a Bears shirt.
Four expected rugby debuts
With Maher on the cusp of a highly anticipated Bristol debut, Telegraph sport takes a look at four other memorable rugby union debuts.
Andy Farrell – Saracens v Newcastle, September 2006
The former British rugby league captain has been patient, with his debut significantly delayed due to injury. Last December, a car accident interrupted what would have been his debut with the union, giving him plenty of time to speculate about his most appropriate position in the 15-man match. Instead, it was during a 44-20 victory over Newcastle almost a year later as Farrell came on in the 64th minute, after their A League match against Harlequins had been watched by more than 1,000 supporters.
Sam Burgess – Bath v Harlequins, November 2014
Burgess was already being touted for England when he made his Bath debut just a week after fracturing his cheekbone as the South Sydney Rabbitohs won the NRL Grand Final. The debut itself was 17 minutes long and marked his first union outing. His inclusion was greeted with loud cheers from the home support when his name was read out before kick-off. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm generated by his arrival in the union dissipated during the ill-fated 2015 World Cup campaign, ahead of his eventual return to the league.
Jonny Wilkinson – Toulon v Stade Français, August 2009
Few could have a better club debut than Wilkinson, who marked his first Toulon appearance by scoring 17 points in a 22-22 draw against Stade Français, including a trademark drop goal. Although his career at Newcastle and England was blighted by injuries, Wilkinson thrived and was loved by the Toulon fans, who he had to win over after being part of the England team that knocked France out of the European Cups. successive world.
Joseph Sua’ali’i – England v Australia, November 2024
The code switch is usually eagerly awaited, as in the case of Farrell and Burgess, but few make such an impression as Sua’ali’i, who had not played a club XV match before facing England at Twickenham. His decision to jump straight onto the international stage was a bold one, but it paid off for the 21-year-old, who produced some impressive offloads as well as solid defensive work in a surprise 42-37 victory.
