Ilona Maher: Bristol Bears’ new USA star wants to see more superstars in women’s rugby

Maher is the most followed rugby union player – male or female – on social media. Her profiles have amassed more than eight million followers across Instagram and TikTok.

Having long been an advocate for body positivity and women’s sports, since claiming bronze as part of the USA’s rugby sevens side at the Paris Olympics last summer, Maher’s profile has only continued to skyrocket.

This autumn she was a runner-up on television show Dancing With The Stars and Maher has also been featured prominently by Forbes and Sports Illustrated.

At Ashton Gate, a documentary crew from US production house Hello Sunshine – a company founded by Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon – was following Maher’s every move for a future project.

Maher might only be on a three-month deal with Bristol, as she switches back to XVs in the hope of selection for the USA at the Rugby World Cup this summer, but fans walked in wearing shirts emblazoned with her name across the back.

One had travelled about 4,000 miles with his family from Louisville, Kentucky to see the game. Another came from Washington DC.

Maher said she was “proud” of the impact she has made, but rugby still has work to do to showcase more athletes in the sport.

“I’ve seen the power in it, I’ve seen the power of people connecting with the individual and then going to the sport,” Maher said.

“If we can have more people connect with Holly Aitchison, Jaz Joyce, Evie Gallagher, that brings them in.

“That’s my goal – I love being a superstar and people call me the superstar of rugby but that’s not enough for the sport, we can’t just have one superstar.

“We need to have more, we need to have people connecting with so many different players and that is what will grow our game.”