It is an intriguing thought. If Ilona Maher can live up to the hype surrounding her move to Bristol Bears, what kind of impact might she have on the women’s game in the UK?
The USA Eagles star and social media phenomenon, 28, is joining Dave Ward’s side on a three-month deal in January, which has already created huge interest in Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR).
The hope is that her potential impact for Bristol will transcend the women’s game and bring a huge wave of wider publicity.
Massive signing
Emily Scarratt, England’s record points scorer and one of the most respected players of her generation, is convinced women’s rugby is about to break new ground via Maher.
Maher is the most followed rugby player in the world on social media and Loughborough Lightning star Scarratt told Planet Rugby: “Ilona is one of the biggest signings that the PWR has ever seen.
“Her social media following, the eyes she will bring to the game, and the potential additional commercial interest it will create in our game generally – and certainly at Bristol, who I think are already feeling the benefits – means that it’s probably fair to say.
“It’s tough to make a statement like that when you’ve not seen her on the pitch yet, but it shows exactly where she is in terms of her status.
“That’s fair play to her, but we just want to see her on the field and what she can show there now.”
The Olympic bronze medallist arrived in the West Country earlier this month to meet her new team-mates and begin training before heading home until the New Year.
Maher will join the Bears with her sights set on earning a place in the USA squad for the 2025 World Cup in England, with two quarter-finals and both semi-finals taking place at Ashton Gate.
She could potentially make her debut against Gloucester-Hartpury on January 5 in a mouth-watering clash.
The demand for tickets in that game means it has been moved from Shaftesbury Park to Ashton Gate.
The club have already sold a record amount of tickets for a Bristol women’s game for the fixture.
Scarratt added: “Ilona’s rightly tried to play down whether or not she will be involved in that game.
“I think that’s completely fair because she went home for Christmas and probably won’t have a huge amount of time with Bristol prior to that game.
“The whole story is amazing. Obviously the following that she has is what everybody knows about and just the character that she is.
“A couple of games that were scheduled for Shaftesbury Park have been moved to Ashton Gate, so the effect of her being here is clear to see with the number of ticket and shirt sales.
“It’s huge for the profile of the women’s game and what a brilliant year for that to happen leading into a home World Cup in the UK and England, where she’s come to play her domestic rugby.
“We’re always trying to get more eyes on rugby and get more people involved.
“Whether that’s watching, volunteering and obviously playing the game.
“Definitely for someone like Maher will attract new eyes to it.
“I think it’s great that she’s an overseas player and can really showcase what this league is all about further afield and obviously here in England.”
Maher is returning to XVs after three years playing sevens, including helping her country win their first Olympic medal in the discipline with a dramatic late victory over Australia in Paris in July.
Maher, who has 8 million followers on Instagram and TikTok, has already impressed head coach Ward and the squad in training.
Million dollar question
What position does Scarratt see Maher playing for the Bears?
“This is the million dollar question and maybe only Dave Ward and Sione Fukofuka, the USA coach, know the answer,” said Scarratt, who has been a World Cup winner, an Olympian and world player of the year during her decorated career.
“I’d put her on the wing, personally, for a few reasons; certainly one of them being the limited time she has here.
“The wing is probably an easier position to pick up a bit quicker and obviously you can also have a bit of freedom in that position to roam around the field and go and find the ball.
“From a freedom point of view, the wing, but centre and back-row have also been thrown around as potential positions for her.
“It should probably be led by Sione and if he sees her as part of that America squad moving towards the World Cup.
“And then obviously where she fits into a Bristol Bears team which is flying and has a lot of talent within its ranks – especially all through that backline.”
Maher, who has just finished as runner-up in US primetime show Dancing with the Stars, spoke to a sports psychiatrist throughout the Olympics and says it may be something she continues to do during her time at Bristol.
Either way, Scarratt is convinced Maher can cope with the pressure and hype surrounding her when she takes to the field for the Bears.
Scarratt reasoned: “From what I know of her, she can definitely cope with that.
“She rises to those challenges and she’s just been on Dancing with the Stars.
“If there’s anything where you might feel potentially uncomfortable, that’s probably one of the greatest showcases of doing something like that.
“I definitely feel for her in terms of the pressure that she’ll be feeling.
“She’s got to make the team for a start, which won’t be easy in that Bristol side, and then everyone will be watching her to see what big hits or runs she makes.
“I hope that she just enjoys her time here. For her, this is part of a bigger picture of trying to get back into the 15s game and potentially make a World Cup squad.
“For the rest of us, it’s all about the hype and everything else it’s bringing.
“I hope she’s able to just get her head down and enjoy playing some 15s rugby.
“It has definitely been a hot topic within the women’s game and on social media.
“I think fundamentally we all just want to see her out on the field and tearing up trees – although hopefully not against us!
“We play Bristol sometime after Christmas, so she will be there then and that will be something to look forward to.”
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