Ilona Maher: Bristol coach predicts US rugby star will be devastating

English rugby just isn’t prepared for the affect American star Ilona Maher may have on the pitch, says Bristol Bears coach Dave Ward.

Maher, who gained an Olympic sevens bronze medal in Paris in the summertime, begins a three-month cope with the Bears in January.

The 28-year-old is a large social media determine, with 4.5 million Instagram followers and three.2 million on TikTok, however Ward says that extra essential to him is the brand new dimension Maher will add to his group.

“She’s going to shock folks when she performs 15s,” stated Ward.

“I feel she goes to be devastating. She is somebody with the tempo of [England and Ealing Trailfinders wing] Abby Dow, the dimensions of [England and Bristol second row] Abbie Ward, and a step.

“You’ve got bought a implausible rugby participant there. She goes to be a large asset to our recreation and provides us a totally totally different dynamic.

“Everybody is aware of in regards to the social media following and that’s all effectively and good, however, from my perspective, we noticed a world-class rugby participant who needed to come back and play 15s and was on the lookout for one of the best league and hopefully one of the best programme.

“That’s what we needed to symbolize.”

Maher, who appeared on US tv present Dancing With The Stars, will return residence for Christmas earlier than beginning coaching in earnest with Bristol within the new yr.

Nevertheless, she was concerned in a expertise classes together with her new team-mates on Monday and, regardless of having had 4 months away from the game, impressed Ward together with her passing, conditioning and enthusiasm.