US star Maher signs for Bristol Bears
The United States' bronze medal in Paris was the first time they have got on the podium in women's sevens at the Olympics
- Published
American Olympic bronze medallist Ilona Maher has signed for Bristol Bears for the rest of the Premiership Women's Rugby season.
Maher is the most followed rugby union player in the world on social media, with 4.5 million Instagram followers and 3.2 million on TikTok.
The utility back, who can play at centre or on the wing, has signed a three-month deal from January.
The 28-year-old has arrived in Bristol to begin training with her new team-mates this week, before returning to her native United States until the new year.
Bears head coach Dave Ward said Maher's arrival is a "huge coup" for the club.
"Ilona is one of the biggest names in women's sport, let alone rugby, and we believe she will add real value to our programme on and off the field," said Ward.
"She is one of the standout stars in the sevens game and we can't wait to see her play for Bears in XVs. Her ability ball-in-hand will give our attack a new dimension and her desire to star in the Rugby World Cup in England next summer is a huge driving force for her to achieve great things at Bears.
"Her profile as an athlete to inspire the next generation aligns exactly with ours as a club and we can only applaud the work she has and will do for the women's game."
The news comes as Maher returns to XVs for the first time since 2021, having focused on sevens for the past three years.
Speaking exclusively to BBC Sport, PWR chair Genevieve Shore said "we want the best athletes in the world playing in the PWR" and that Maher's arrival had been arranged in "just a few weeks - it's been fairly quick".
Shore went on to describe Maher's potential on and off the pitch as "endless".
"She's an incredible athlete, she's an incredible rugby player, she was amazing at the sevens," said Shore.
"I think she'll also have an incredible impact in person, too. Think of all those little girls and boys who are going to pitch up to that first game and watch her play.
"I'm excited to see what that impact looks like."
Maher is a crossover star who has become the most followed rugby player - of either gender - on social media
Maher has previously expressed her desire to play for the United States, external at the upcoming 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England. The USA play the hosts in the opening fixture on 22 August.
Following her arrival at Bears, Maher said: "I am excited to join the Bristol Bears and put myself in the best position to earn a spot to represent USA in the 2025 Rugby World Cup alongside such a talented and driven group as the Bears."
Having just finished as runner-up in the US version of Strictly Come Dancing - Dancing with the Stars - the Rugby Football Union (RFU) confirmed in the last week it had supported Maher’s visa application to come to the UK.
Maher joins with just half the PWR season left, and a steep learning curve ahead before she gets handed a playing shirt.
What position could she play?
In sevens, Maher is known for running intelligent support lines that frequently lead to breaks and tries. Her powerful fend combined with impressive work-rate, external
She has played international XVs on the wing, but was at centre in her college years.
In the past few months Maher expressed a desire to play in the back row, citing Canada captain Sophie de Goede as an inspiration., external
However, the headache for Bears coach Ward is how he best plays his new prize asset without upsetting his established outfit, halfway through a campaign.
Established wings Jaz Joyce and Millie David have impressed this season. David is already one of the league's top scorers with 10 tries in seven fixtures, while Joyce's experience, speed and versatility is a certainty on the teamsheet.
Reneeqa Bonner is also on the Bears roster but has just been away with the Great Britain Sevens team in Dubai.
The centre pairing of Phoebe Murray and Emma Orr is one of the most exciting in the whole of the PWR. Murray made her England debut at WXV in October, while 21-year-old Scotland favourite Orr is considered one of the best 13s in the world.
Finally, the back-row is also pretty stacked. Alisha Butchers, Evie Gallagher and Rownita Marston-Mulhearn are regular starters, with Gabriella Nigrelli and Jenny Herring nipping at their heels.
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