BRISTOL, England (AP) — U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher made her debut for the Bristol Bears women's team in front of a record home crowd of 9,240 fans on Sunday. But Maher, "the most followed rugby player on the planet,” could not prevent Bristol from losing 40-17 to defending champion Gloucester-Hartpury in a Premiership Women’s Rugby match.

Bristol Bears lost at home to Gloucester-Hartpury in their opening match of 2025, as Ilona Maher made her debut for the hosts from the bench.

US rugby sevens star and social media sensation Ilona Maher made her eagerly anticipated debut for Bristol in the English women's Premiership on Sunday but could not prevent defeat for her new side. Maher has not played 15s rugby since 2021 but is aiming to gain selection for the US squad for the Women's Rugby World Cup,

From the Olympics to DWTS to Ashton Gate Stadium, Ilona Maher is on a roll. The American Bronze Medalist has signed a three-month contract with the Bristol Bears ahead of the 2025 Rugby World Cup. Maher kicks off her Bears journey with a match against reigning Premiership Women’s Rugby champions Gloucester-Hartpury this Sunday,