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.

Olympian and Dancing with the Stars contestant Ilona Maher moved to England to join the Bristol Bears but her home debut ended with an injury.

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 says that rugby union has to shift culture and mindset if it is going to evolve as a sport. With more than eight million followers across Instagram and TikTok, 28-year-old American international back Maher is the world’s most followed rugby player on social media.

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.

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

She has been England’s Miss Consistency for the past few seasons but Zoe Aldcroft faces the biggest mission of her career later this year – to lead the Red Roses to World Cup glory on home soil.

Social media sensation Ilona Maher has said rugby union needs to undergo a culture shift if the sport is to attract new fans."There is a culture in rugby we need to shift.

The American Olympic medallist, who is the world’s most followed rugby player, believes her stoic but ‘amazing’ sport needs more personalities.

How to watch Bristol Bears v Leicester Tigers online as US star Ilona Maher features in Premiership Women's Rugby on January 18.

U.S. rugby sensation Ilona Maher says rugby union needs to undergo a cultural shift if the sport is to attract new fans. Maher, who earned a bronze medal in rugby sevens with the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has more followers on social media than any other rugby player with over 8 million across Instagram and TikTok.

The presence of American broadcasters is not a common sight at English club rugby press conferences, but the CNN cameras were rolling here on Wednesday.