Popular US rugby player Ilona Maher makes her debut for Bristol Bears against Gloucester-Hartpury in a highly anticipated Premiership Women's Rugby match.
Ilona Maher is set to make her debut for Bristol Bears off the bench in their Premiership Women's Rugby match against Gloucester-Hartpury on Sunday. The 28-year-old, the most followed rugby union player globally on social media, will return to 15-a-side rugby for the first time since 2021 after winning Olympic bronze with the US rugby sevens team in Paris last summer.
The match, moved to Ashton Gate from Bristol Bears Women's usual home ground of Shaftesbury Park due to high ticket demand, has sold almost 8,000 tickets as of Friday morning. Head coach Dave Ward has made four changes to the matchday squad, with England's Hollie Cunningham recalled in the second-row and Wales' Ffion Lewis making her first start at scrum-half. Ward says the round 12 clash 'means something', highlighting the significance of the game due to the large crowd, its status as a rematch of last year's final, and the points at stake for both teams. He also acknowledged the importance of the match for players seeking international call-ups for the upcoming Six Nations. Bristol Bears are seven points behind Gloucester-Hartpury in third place and nine behind leaders Harlequins, although they have a game in hand on three of the sides above them
Rugby Women's Rugby Bristol Bears Ilona Maher Gloucester-Hartpury Premiership Rugby Debut Olympic Bronze
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