Ilona Maher debuted for Bristol Bears in front of a record crowd of 9,240, highlighting the growing popularity of women's rugby and her global following.
Her debut match against Gloucester-Hartpury ended with a disappointing 40-17 loss for Bristol, despite Maher making her presence felt in a short appearance.
Bristol relocated the match to Ashton Gate to accommodate fans eager to see Maher play, setting a new attendance record for women’s rugby in the process.
Maher's return to the 15-a-side format is aimed at boosting her chances of making the U.S. team for the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
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