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HSBC SVNS 2 2026
Montevideo
Thursday
13:00
Thursday
22:55
WOMENS
Thursday
23:05
PWR

Ilona Maher named for her first Bristol Bears start

By PA
Bristol Bears' Ilona Maher during last Sunday's Ashton Gate warm-up (Photo by Bob Bradford/CameraSport via Getty Images)

Ilona Maher will make her first start for Bristol in Sunday’s Premiership Women’s Rugby match against Exeter at Sandy Park. The USA sevens star was given her Bears debut off the bench against champions Gloucester-Hartpury last weekend, completing 20 minutes in the 40-17 defeat – her first 15s appearance since 2021.

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The 28-year-old – the world’s most popular rugby player on social media with over eight million followers – has been picked on the left wing after Millie David was ruled out by a hip injury.

Maher was unable to make a significant impact on her debut due to Gloucester-Hartpury’s dominance in the second half, but Bristol felt her drawing power with a crowd of 9,240 present at Ashton Gate.

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5 of the Best Ilona Maher SVNS series tries | RPTV

Bristol’s star signing and Olympic bronze medalist has scored some spectacular tries for the USA Women’s 7s team. Watch the entire SVNS series this year on RugbyPass TV.

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5 of the Best Ilona Maher SVNS series tries | RPTV

Bristol’s star signing and Olympic bronze medalist has scored some spectacular tries for the USA Women’s 7s team. Watch the entire SVNS series this year on RugbyPass TV.

Watch SVNS

That was a record attendance for a Bears women’s game and also the highest for a standalone fixture in the league.

Maher won a bronze medal at last summer’s Olympics in Paris and has set her sights on winning a place in the USA squad that will compete in the World Cup, which is being hosted by England later this year.

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Ilona Maher: 'People call me a superstar of rugby... We can’t just have one'

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Comments on RugbyPass

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Spew_81 18 minutes ago
Everyone has the same fear about Rieko Ioane after latest Leinster showing

“Star All Black midfielder Rieko Ioane”?

R Ioane was a star at wing. But he was never a star at 13. He had potential and was worth a shot at 13. But by 2024, or earlier, it was clear he was never going to be a good 13.



...

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H
Hammer Head 23 minutes ago
The Six Nations deep dive: How France has the North playing Super Rugby

I just checked the rankings. They’re listed as number two.

Oh, do you mean on the NH ranking system where the numbers are all made up and don’t mean anything? Maintained by Ireland.



...

59 Go to comments
H
Hammer Head 26 minutes ago
The Six Nations deep dive: How France has the North playing Super Rugby

So building a water tight defence a great set pieces is easy. Gotya

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Hammer Head 27 minutes ago
Neil Barnes delivers strong statement after role confirmation

What’s a senior lead assistant? Asking for a mate

1 Go to comments
B
Bazzallina 1 hour ago
The Six Nations deep dive: How France has the North playing Super Rugby

But they are and have beaten everybody else in the last 2 years all the teams with their could have would have should have and they were in the last WC cup final so they are number 2 legit

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Bazzallina 1 hour ago
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett opens up on talks with Dave Rennie

Scooter and Tupou V should alternate on the bench role as both have impact I believe and both mitigate any loose forwards that get injured early as well and both got experience and play both sides at lock

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SM 1 hour ago
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett opens up on talks with Dave Rennie

Not so bothered by Barrett more concerned about more cultural sensitivity, maybe two Hakas and three Anthems. Chiefs rugby hahaha 😆

3 Go to comments
R
Rugby3 2 hours ago
Dave Rennie can't make the same mistake as Razor with the All Blacks

They were crippled by injuries because as Nick Bishop explains, Rennie’s want his players to commit to ultimate crash and barge and they lost to second string Irish and French sides. Watch how many injuries the All Blacks start picking up from now on under Rennie.

7 Go to comments
R
Rugby3 2 hours ago
Dave Rennie can't make the same mistake as Razor with the All Blacks

Thanks to Quade Cooper, who Rennie did not want to select until forced to.

7 Go to comments
R
Rugby3 2 hours ago
Dave Rennie can't make the same mistake as Razor with the All Blacks

His win rate was 38% with the Wallabies. If that was Rennie’s win rate with the All Blacks he would be tarred and feather and strung up by the cajones in Cathedral Square.

But because it was Australia and they are all useless that‘s perfectly fine and he was gonna come good any day …..over the next 10 years so kiwis reckoned.



...

7 Go to comments
G
GP 2 hours ago
Moana vs Crusaders takes: A+ development on show, dark horse POTY candidate

Pretty good summary. But what should also be said is how well Ethan Blackadder is playing. He is playing well week after week for the Crusaders. He should be a certainty for the All Blacks , especially when they go to South Africa. What was Robertson thinking last year leaving him out ? Simon Parker got picked, unbelievable.

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Carpet Monkey 2 hours ago
Damian McKenzie weighs in on NZR's approach to eligibility after departures

Great thoughts

If players leave and can still be eligible for selection…there's no way a prudent All Blacks coach wouldn't look at them



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SB 2 hours ago
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett opens up on talks with Dave Rennie

All eyes are now on his return to SR, his form and his role as captain.

3 Go to comments
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SM 3 hours ago
How the new-look Brumbies are confounding Super Rugby Pacific expectations

Love them but they were lucky against the Chiefs. You expected DMac to kick that penalty. Then the Chiefs looked like scoring, but thankfully choked 1m out 😍

4 Go to comments
N
NH 3 hours ago
The Six Nations deep dive: How France has the North playing Super Rugby

Also see a large restriction in TMO involvement at SR level this year. Seems like the safety focus and huge increase in cards ~5 years ago is a thing of the past now. Two head high tackles in reds drua game on the weekend without even a hint of TMO involvement or hand going to pocket.

59 Go to comments
N
NH 3 hours ago
The Six Nations deep dive: How France has the North playing Super Rugby

Yes, i just had this thought Nick that so many teams are playing rush D now and its been going on long enough now that teams have finally figured out ways around and through it. Kick passes to the wing are now a regular, non-event whereas 5 years ago they were elite, high risk skills rarely executed. Also seeing alot of switches and inside passes sneaking into phase play with good effect. The change in kick chase rules I think are also impacting the game in untold ways so far.

59 Go to comments
N
NH 3 hours ago
The Six Nations deep dive: How France has the North playing Super Rugby

I’d argue the other way Nick, that the north have stuck their nose up at the south as poor defensively saying you don’t need lots of points for a good game. Yet, now that they’ve got point a minute games, its the best 6 nations ever and captivating footy.

59 Go to comments
F
Footy Franks 3 hours ago
How the new-look Brumbies are confounding Super Rugby Pacific expectations

How good is Larkham. Fast track him to wallaby coach. I’m a tah supporter but I hope the Brumbies go all the way. The tahs have to forget millionaire lairs and focus like the Brumbies on a clear game plan and team spirit.

4 Go to comments
B
BH 3 hours ago
Dave Rennie can't make the same mistake as Razor with the All Blacks

The Wallabies were dominating the Springboks during Rennie’s era by winning 3 out of 4 games.

Think about that for a moment - the struggling Wallabies up against the epic and mighty World Champion Springboks.



...

7 Go to comments
G
GM 3 hours ago
Dave Rennie can't make the same mistake as Razor with the All Blacks

Rubbish. He had none of the overseas stars available, was crippled by injuries, and still lost by sweet fa against Ireland at Aviva and France in Paris. Then rotated what was left of his squad against Italy and lost.

7 Go to comments
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