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.

Ticket sales have broken a record ahead of U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher making her debut for the Bristol Bears women’s team.

Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher made her Bristol Bears debut on Sunday and brought in a record number of fans. A record 9,420 fans were in attendance to watch Maher make her Premiership Women's Rugby league debut against defending champion Gloucester-Hartpury.

Maher will be "officially unveiled" to fans this weekend, and the Bristol Bears have already moved their Sunday game to a larger venue to accommodate more fans.

U.S. Olympic bronze medallist Ilona Maher debuted for Bristol Bears in a loss to Gloucester-Hartpury, drawing a record crowd to Ashton Gate stadium. Known for her massive social media following, Maher's popularity surged post-Olympics.

Social media sensation and USA rugby star Ilona Maher is set to make her Bristol Bears and Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) debut. In early December last year, Maher began her pursuit of making the USA Women’s team for the upcoming Rugby World Cup by signing a short-term deal with the Bears.

US SEVENS STAR Ilona Maher is set for her Bristol Bears debut after being named on the bench for Gloucester-Hartpury’s visit to Ashton Gate on Sunday. Maher, who has become a social media sensation with 3.