Bristol Rugby

After her runner-up finish on Dancing With The Stars, Team USA rugby star Ilona Maher is getting back to doing what she does best.

Per Colin Millar of The Athletic, Maher is joining the Bristol Bears of Premiership Women's Rugby on a three-month contract. The 28-year-old reportedly will be registered to play for the Bears in January through the remaining three months of the season, and she completed her move to Bristol this week.

Maher, who helped lead Team USA to a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics this past summer, will be playing full XVs rugby for the first time since 2021 after spending the last three years exclusively playing the sevens code. She is hoping to help lead the Bears to a spot in next year's Women's Rugby World Cup, which will be played in England.

"I am excited to join the Bristol Bears and put myself in the best position to earn a spot to represent USA in the 2025 Rugby World Cup alongside such a talented and driven group as the Bears," Maher said.

Bears head coach Dave Ward told Millar that the arrival of Maher is a "huge coup" and she will "add real value to our program on and off the field." Bristol is currently ranked fourth in the English top flight with five wins in seven league games this season.

Maher is the most-followed rugby player, male or female, in the world with over eight million followers across her social media platforms.

It was evident in the second game of the 2009 Women’s Nations Cup between England and the USA that both teams were playing in their first match of the tournament. Soft hands by both teams led to some prime opportunities that failed to be capitalized on, as both sides struggled to find their rhythm on the scenic Appleby College rugby pitch.

A fumbled throw by England’s backs caused an early breakaway run by America’s Amy Daniels, who intercepted sprinting twenty metres to touch down for the first try of the match.

The early 7-0 lead by the U.S. was short-lived, as England rallied back with practiced hands and a drive by lock Jo McGilchrist, who went over for England’s first try of the tournament. The Americans continued to push England, keeping the first half close at 14-5.

England emerged from the halftime break composed and rejuvenated, scoring four tries, two of which came from 19-year-old Emily Scarratt. Entering the U20 England women’s program just two years ago, this is Scarratt’s first Senior Nations Cup tournament; her first cup as a junior came just last year.

“America put up a tough fight, which we were expecting. It took us a while to get into it but we just needed to be patient and play up our end,” Scarratt said after the match. “It came to us in the end, but full credit to America.”

The close encounter ended with defending Nations Cup champion England taking a 36-7 decision. England’s Head Coach Gary Street commented on the win after the final whistle.

“They relied on our mistakes in the first half and the score was quite close. The second half, I think our condition and our skill set really came into play. We showed our quality in the end.”

England’s fluid passing overcame the difficult first half, but small mistakes and lost balls cost the American team their lead. U.S. Head Coach Kathy Flores said that the fumbling hands let them down.

“We really concentrated on knowing that England does not get pushed defensively a lot. It wasn’t our full attack, but we’re trying to concentrate on pushing them a lot defensively and cause some mishandling errors on their part, “ said Flores. “Unfortunately, I don’t think we quite followed through.”

USA Roster
1. Jamie Burke
2. Lisa Butts
3. Stacy Baker
4. Stacey Bridges
5. Jillion Potter
6. Beckett Royce
7. Kristin Zdanczewicz
8. Blair Groefsema
9. Claudia Braymer
10. Stephanie Bruce
11. Nathalie Marchino
12. Lynelle Kugler
13. Amy Daniels
14. Vanesha McGee
15. Ashley English
16. Farrah Douglas
17. Mari Wallace
18. Sharon Blaney
19. Phaidra Knight
20. Kim Magrini
21. Hannah Stolba
22. Christy Ringgenberg

Bristol Rugby have succumbed to their fifth defeat in a row against the “Exiles,” London Irish.

The victory for puts the Madejski Stadium side on top of the Guinness Premier League.

The Exiles dominated the opening period and led 11-0 by the half time interval.  Peter Hewat kicked two penalties and winger Sailosi Tagicakibau scored in the 27th minute.

Bristol hit back in the second half and surprisingly went 13-11 ahead with a Luke Eves try and eight points from fly half Ed Barnes's boot.

However, Shane Geraghty had the last word to give Irish their fifth straight league win.

Bristol gave scrum half, Shaun Perry, his first start since he returned from a long term injury but he could not inspire his side to their second Premiership victory of the season.

The result leaves Richard Hill's men stuck to the bottom of the table, three points adrift of Newcastle Falcons.

The first half was a dour affair with both sides making handling mistakes and the boot dominating.

Bristol lacked ideas in the first half but they got on the scoreboard within two minutes of the second half, Barnes landing a 40m penalty.

They reduced the deficit to just one point when Barnes got the ball in midfield, cross kicked for Robinson to tussle with Ojo before full back Luke Arscott took possession and fed centre Eves.

The home side took the lead for the first time with Barnes's second penalty on 65 minutes but just two minutes later, his pass was intercepted by Geraghty and the England prospect had the easy task of running in from halfway.

Bristol had a chance to claim victory when they were awarded a penalty with just five minutes left but after going for a line-out rather than a pop at goal, they were penalised at the throw-in.