Ilona Maher's 'phenomenal' impact at Bristol Bears hailed ahead of Premiership Women's Rugby semi-finals
Published 28/02/2025 at 20:33 GMT
Ilona Maher's move to Bristol Bears sparked a "phenomenal" impact on women's rugby, club captain Amber Reed said, as the Premiership Women's Rugby club prepare for their semi-final clash against Gloucester-Hartpury on Sunday. Maher will start on the wing for a crunch match - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - in what could be her final appearance for the club.
Maher eyes ‘redemption’ as Bristol Bears prepare for unmissable semi
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ilona Maher's "phenomenal" impact on women's rugby in England has been hailed ahead of Bristol Bears' Premiership Women's Rugby semi-final clash against Gloucester-Hartpury.
The American, who is the most followed rugby union player in the world on social media for her impressive exploits in the United States, has created a major "level of excitement" around the club since her arrival in January.
Maher's undoubted quality has shone through since she linked up with the squad, with Bristol just one match away from a championship decider, smashing record attendances along the way.
And speaking ahead of Sunday's semi-final - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - club captain Amber Reed was full of praise for the way Maher has "managed" her profound impact on the women's game in England.
"The noise, the level of excitement, the social media buzz that's been around this group this season, has been the best it has ever been, the best I've ever known," Reed said.
"The impact that she's had on the game as a whole is pretty phenomenal. Our ticket sales have dramatically increased from where they were last season, and it would be pretty remiss of me to not give her credit for that and what she's done to the game.
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Lomu-esque from Maher as American star gets first PWR try
Video credit: TNT Sports
"But I think the most impressive thing for me is she's managed all that [and] she's just a class team-mate."
Reed added: "Hopefully the fans that have joined because of her [Maher] love what we do and they come back next year and we keep inspiring the next generation through our actions."
Maher joined the Premiership Women's Rugby club on a three-month contract commencing at the turn of the year. She said upon her arrival that she made the move to "put myself in the best position to earn a spot to represent USA in the 2025 Rugby World Cup".
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It was a return to 15-a-side rugby for the American - who helped her country to Olympic bronze in Paris last year - after three years playing in the sevens format.
Maher has brought a "good energy" to the Bristol camp, head coach Dave Ward said, adding that her personality has helped to "bring other people's personalities out".
Ward said: "I think it's brought a real good energy to the group, they're excited - she's loud and proud and I think again it just brings other people's personalities out, and they can see if she's not afraid to be herself, then they don't have to be afraid to be themselves.
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Fans of Ilona Maher of Bristol Bears are seen on the stands prior to the Premiership Women's Rugby match between Harlequins and Bristol
Image credit: Getty Images
"I think the more that people get to know the girls and the amazing women we've got in the programme, the better it's going to be for the sport."
In what could be Maher's final appearance for Bristol, head coach Ward has labelled his side "massive outsiders" - as they meet their West Country counterparts in a rematch of last year's final - where Gloucester-Hartpury took a 36-24 victory.
"Everyone is writing us off for this weekend. We're massive outsiders, Gloucester are heavy favourites," Ward said.
"It is a bit of a nothing-to-lose mentality, but for us it does mean a bit more than that. We know we're a team capable of rattling Gloucester and we hope to do that."
Stream the Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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