The USA Eagles player is also not worried about a potential U.S. ban on TikTok, a platform she has amassed over three million followers on.

U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher has celebrated her first start for the Bristol Bears by powering over for a try in a 41-31 victory at the Exeter Chiefs.

Olympic rugby bronze medalist Ilona Maher made her debut on the pitch in England on Sunday, Jan. 5 — and it resulted in the Bristol Bears having to change stadiums to accommodate her fans.

With over eight million social media followers and a Reese Witherspoon production following her, Maher is attracting a global audience

U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher is set to make her first start for the Bristol Bears on Sunday at the Exeter Chiefs.

USA rugby star Ilona Maher, with her 8-million strong social media following, challenges rugby's traditional culture while making waves at Bristol Bears. The Olympic bronze medallist argues that the sport's future depends on embracing digital innovation and personality-driven content to attract a new generation of fans.

Ilona Maher made her debut on the pitch last weekend with her new UK rugby team, the Bristol Bears. The U.S. Bronze medalist and Dancing With the Stars runner-up entered the Bears vs. Gloucester-Hartpury match as a sub in the 61st minute,

U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher is set to make her first start for the Bristol Bears on January 12 at the Exeter Chiefs.

Ilona Maher’s impact on women’s rugby in England had been significant even before she had stepped on a rugby pitch in the country. On Sunday came the American’s time to make a telling contribution on the field of play as she scored a sensational 70-yard try in her first start for her new team.

Ilona Maher marked her first Premiership Women’s Rugby start with a try as Bristol boosted their hopes of reaching the play-offs with a gutsy win over derby rivals Exeter Chiefs.