Rugby star Ilona Maher draws record crowd for Bristol Bears debut

Ilona greeting fans after the match - some had flown in all the way from the USA!

US superstar Ilona Maher made her rugby union debut for Bristol Bears at the weekend.

The 28-year-old's presence brought a record crowd of 9,240 for a women's game at Ashton Gate stadium.

Ilona has more than eight million followers across Instagram and TikTok, making her the world's most followed rugby union player.

She came on to play for 20 minutes in the second half.

Despite her team losing 40-17 against Premiership champions Gloucester-Hartpury - Ilona still proved a huge hit with the crowd.

Ilona drew in a record crowd at Ashton Gate stadium

Who is Ilona Maher?

Ilona gained an Olympic bronze medal, as well as loads of fans, during the Paris 2024 Games after her videos and interviews went viral.

She rose to fame on social media; sharing messages encouraging body positivity and female empowerment.

Ilona also knows how to move off the pitch - as she was a runner-up on Dancing with the Stars, which is the US version of Strictly Come Dancing.

Ilona wants to inspire more women and girls to play rugby

Why has Ilona moved to Bristol Bears?

In the US, Ilona plays the 7s format where there are seven player on a side, instead of the 15s format where there are 15 players on each side.

The Women's Rugby World Cup is taking place in England this year, and features teams of 15 players.

Ilona will play for the Bristol Bears for the rest of the season, as she wants to adjust to the 15 players format to try and gain selection for the US squad that will travel to the Women's Rugby World Cup later this year.

Speaking of her debut, the rugby superstar said: "I was definitely very nervous,

"But then I think I wanted to make my team-mates proud and show I deserved to be out there."

The star rugby player hopes to be selected for team USA in the Women's Rugby World Cup

Ilona spent more than an hour after the game signing autographs and posing for pictures.

Some fans travelled from Kentucky and Washington DC in the USA to watch the match.

Ilona said: "They might have come out here to watch me play, but come more to see the level of rugby you are going to see.

"You are now seeing that the level of women's rugby is getting better and better each year."