Ilona Maher’s move to the Bristol Bears has sent ripples of excitement through the rugby world. Known for her exceptional athleticism and dynamic play, the American star’s transition to England marks a bold new chapter in her career. Though she has a lot of fans, the fact that she is now in the new team has also made her more interesting, and the question of how she can affect Bristol’s already dynamic play style has been asked.

Recently, there has been a rugby striker, Emily Scarratt, who has hinted or implied that Maher’s versatility may bring her out as a great winger—a place where no obstacles can restrain her from showcasing her nature to roam and her undeniable repairs. Only some rugby transfers get as much attention as Ilona Maher’s recent movement of the Bristol Bears. An outstanding athlete known for her magnetic presence both on and off the field, Maher’s signing has framed her as a star to keep a watch for in the forthcoming season.

Ilona Maher’s wing position would be beneficial

As the Bristol Bears team gears up for the challenges ahead, with Ilona Maher as a recruit for the upcoming matches, vice-captain Emily Scarratt has weighed in on Maher’s potential contributions. While talking to Ruck about her thoughts on Maher’s move to the Bristol Bears and the position she will be playing at, she said, “I think she would fit lots of positions, given her physical profile and obviously her rugby ability and skillset.”

Though Ilona Maher is capable of playing at multiple positions like center, prop, wing, or back row, Scarratt expresses what exactly suits Maher’s best position to play rugby. She added, “I do think I’d probably put her on the wing; just with the amount of time that she has as well, I think slotting into a wing position is potentially a bit easier.”

She further said, “And obviously you get a bit of freedom as well to roam, depending on the systems that you play. But I think that that could really suit her. And obviously the way Bristol plays as well, they move the ball a lot; they give their wingers a lot of ball.” Maher is one of the key players in the women’s Bristol Bears team.

Scarratt spoke about Maher’s impact on the team and the best position for Maher while playing rugby for the Bears. But Maher is feeling weak; speaking to Parade, she revealed how the Dance With The Stars (DWTS) season 33 has taken a toll on her, stating, “I feel weaker, which isn’t something that I would like to be. I always love to be stronger. I’ve always found my body is for a purpose, not for aesthetics. I go for function over form. So, it was tough for me to be in this environment where I was using my body in a different way, where I wasn’t strength training or running.”

Despite the gap, Maher is all set for the rugby as well. Maher’s influence in women’s rugby is so huge that her move to the Bears is already making a big difference.

Maher’s role in Bristol Bears has already strengthened the team

Ilona Maher moved to the rugby union team of England, the Bristol Bears, and since then she has been in the news. Firstly, the move from the USA Eagles to the Bristol Bears is a cross-country move, which is huge and not ordinary. After the success of Dance With The Stars (DWTS), she got many calls from different teams to join them, but she chose England’s club. Though she has signed a three-month contract as of now.

Ilona Maher’s influence is so palpable that with the mere announcement of her joining the team, the ticket sales of her debut match reached heights. Officials had to change the venue to the high-capacity stadium, from Gloucester-Hartpury to Ashton Gate, due to high demands for tickets for Maher’s Premiership Women’s Rugby match scheduled on January 5, 2025. The capacity of the venue is around 20,000 people.

As Scarratt envisions Maher excelling in the wing position, a role that could perfectly align with Bristol’s fast-paced, ball-movement-heavy strategy, it is to be seen how the team will perform in the upcoming match. Are you also excited for Maher’s debut with the Bristol Bears? Tell us in the comments.