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Ilona Maher, the most followed rugby player in the world on social networks, beat most of the ground staff and trained on New Year’s day as she aims to hit the ground in Bristol Bears.
The move of the American in Bristol on an agreement of three months is an important acquisition for the women’s female rugby, Maher having more than eight million followers on social media platforms.
The video announcing her signature attracted more than seven million views to Tiktok and she is about to make her debut Sunday after head coach Dave Ward named her on the bench for the West Country derby of his team against Gloucester-Hartpury. A crowd of around 8,000 is expected in Ashton Gate, who would be a record attendance for a match of women Bristol Bears.
“”[She has been] professional, ready to leave. She was yesterday – New Year’s Day – when no one was in it, “Ward said. “She does everything she can and we want to make sure she is right and we are also right. She has had a little illness but so far, everything is fine. »»
He added: “She was before most of our employees this morning (Thursday). She did not completely beaten but she was close enough, she just wants to hit the ground as best she can and if we can support it, we will certainly do it. “”
Mainly a Sevens player, after a break in the Olympic Games in Paris, Maher’s profile saw her participate in the American version of the American version of Strictly coming to dancefinishing second on DancingBut his attention returned to rugby.
The latest Maher traffic jams for the United States in the XV were in 2021, but with its firmly attached views of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England in the fall, it signed for Bristol for a short-term agreement.
“The temptation is to start it at eight and to make it captain, but that is not going to happen,” said Ward, such is the scale of its scope in sport.
Although it is “earth to earth” and “professional”, Ward admits that the flagship signature is not yet “completely” and although its competition sequence has emerged in a volleyball match , it remains to be seen how long it will be beforehand on the ground in a Bears shirt.
Four beginnings planned for rugby
With Maher at the dawn of the long -awaited beginnings for Bristol, Telegraph Sport Take a look at four other memorable beginnings of rugby.
Andy Farrell – Saracens V Newcastle, September 2006
The former captain of the Great Britain Rugby League had been patient, his beginnings were considerably delayed by an injury. The previous December, a car accident reduced what would have been its debut in the union, leaving a lot of time to speculate on its most suitable position in the 15-one side. Instead, it was in a 44-20 victory against Newcastle almost a year later that Farrell appeared as a substitute in the 64th minute, after his League match against Harlequins was watched by more of 1,000 fans.
Sam Burgess – Bath against Harlequins, November 2014
Burgess was already praised for England when he made his debut in the bath only a week after fracturing his cheekbone while South Sydney Rabbitohs won the LNR grand final. The start itself was an appearance of 17 minutes and marked its first union outing. His inclusion was greeted by a strong joy in home support when his name was read before kick -off. Unfortunately, the excitement around his arrival in the union dissipated during the bad campaign of the 2015 World Cup, before his possible return to the league.
Jonny Wilkinson – Toulon V Stade Francais, August 2009
Few could enjoy a better club than Wilkinson, which scored its first appearance of Toulon by scoring 17 points in a 22-22 draw with French stadium, including a brand drop goal. Although his career in Newcastle and England was destroyed by an injury, Wilkinson prospered and was loved by Toulon fans, which he had to win after being part of the England team who eliminated France successive world cuts.
Joseph Sua’Ali’i – England against Australia, November 2024
Code change is generally eagerly awaited, as in the case of Farrell and Burgess, but few made an impression such that Sua’Ali’i, who had not played a club game XV before taking England to Twickenham. His decision to jump directly on the international scene was daring, but that borne fruit for the 21-year-old, who produced impressive discharges as well as solid defensive work in an upset victory of 42-37.
