Watch Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears on Sunday 12 January as American sensation Ilona Maher makes her full debut in the starting line-up. All information about live streams, TV channels and how to watch from anywhere in the world is provided here.
American mega-star Maher has taken the rugby world by storm after swapping his US seven for an English 15 ahead of the Rugby World Cup across the Atlantic at the end of the year. She made her first appearance for Bristol Bears last weekend, coming on as a substitute against Gloucester-Hartpury. The match had to be moved to a new stadium due to sudden demand for tickets.
Maher will now make his first start on Sunday, January 12, when the Bears travel to face local rivals Exeter Chiefs. After a heavy loss to Gloucester, the Bears sit fifth in the Premiership Women’s Rugby table, with Exeter third, making this an important clash as the play-offs get closer.
Read all about how to watch Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears online, on TV and anywhere.
Key information
– Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears Dates: Sunday, January 12, 2025
– Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears Kick-Off Time: 3 PM GMT / 10 AM ET / 7 AM PT / 5 PM SAST
– Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears free streaming: RugbyPass TV (region restricted)
– Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears Pay Stream: Discovery+ (UK) | Rugby Network (USA)
– Watch anywhere: Try NordVPN 100% risk-free
Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears free live streaming
We have a free live stream of Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears featuring Ilona Maher’s full debut in Premiership Women’s Rugby presented by RugbyPass TV.
RugbyPass TV, owned by World Rugby, is a free streaming service that broadcasts select games and does not require a subscription.
However, coverage is limited geographically, meaning it only works in certain areas and not areas with dedicated broadcasters. That means it’s blocked in the host country, the United Kingdom, and Ilona Maher’s home country, the United States. Visit RugbyPass TV to see if streaming is available where you are.
Watch Exeter Chiefs vs Bristol Bears from anywhere
Are you abroad now? Don’t worry. Thanks to convenient software called a VPN, you can watch your usual streams even outside your home country.
A virtual private network sets your device’s IP address to make it look like it’s in another country, allowing you to bypass geo-restrictions and unblock streaming services you commonly use at home. Provided you follow the broadcaster’s T&Cs, you can use a VPN to watch regular rugby streams on the go – all while increasing your internet security.
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Watch Exeter Chiefs vs Bristol Bears in England
TNT Sports and Discovery+ are the broadcasters of English Premiership women’s rugby and will broadcast Exeter Chiefs vs. Bristol Bears on TV and online.
TNT Sports 1 is a TV channel that comes with pay TV packages (prices vary depending on provider), while Discovery+ is a streaming platform that offers all of TNT Sports’ broadcasts. Requires Discovery+ Premium subscription costing £30.99 per month.
Exeter Chiefs vs Bristol Bears coverage on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+ will begin at 2:30pm GMT, 30 minutes before kick-off.
Watch USA Exeter Chiefs vs Bristol Bears
American fans can watch their national treasure Ilona Maher in action, with the Exeter Chiefs vs. Bristol Bears match being broadcast on The Rugby Network.
Subscriptions to The Rugby Network start at $6.99 per month, with a discount available if you purchase an annual pass for $59.99.
Ilona Maher’s debut last week came very early for American fans, but her first starting line-up will kick off at 10 a.m. ET or 7 a.m. PT, which should be very interesting to watch.
Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Bears Team News: Ilona Maher confirms starting line-up.
Exeter Chiefs line-up confirmed
XV start
15. Alexandra Tessier
14. Claudia McDonald
13. Nancy McGillivray
12. Reeve McGovern
11. Katie Buchanan
10. Taylor Perry
9. Flo Robinson (VC)
1. Hope Rogers
2. Emily Tutosh
3. Dalika Menin
4. Poppy Rich (c)
5. Dorothy Wall
6. Ebony Jeffries
7. Maddie Peaunati
8. Rachel Johnson
Alternative: 16. Cliodhna Moloney, 17. Mikiela Nelson, 18. Charli Jacoby, 19. Linde van der Velden, 20. Maisy Allen, 21. Lucy Nye, 22. Merryn Doidge, 23. Georgina Tasker.
Bristol Bears lineup confirmed
XV start
15. Courtney Kate
14. Reneka Bonner
13. Meg Valli
12. Phoebe Murray
11. Ilona Maher
10.Holly Aitchison
9. Keira Bevan (vc)
1. Hannah Botterman
2. Lark Atkin-Davis
3. Sarah Verne
4. Holly Cunningham
5. Abby Ward (c)
6. Alicia Joyce-Butcher
7. Evie Gallagher
8. Ronita Marston-Mulhern.
Alternative: 16. Jess Sprague, 17. Simi Pam, 18. Elliann Clarke, 19. Delaney Burns, 20. Gabriella Nigrelli, 21. Tilly Ryall, 22. Amy Coles, 23 .Ella Lovibond.
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