World Rugby chief Alan Gilpin is convinced Bristol Bears’ TikTok sensation Ilona Maher is just what the sport needs as momentum builds towards this summer’s World Cup in England.
The versatile American back was a breakout figure at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is now the most followed rugby player in the world on social media, with a whopping 3.4 million followers on TikTok.
Rumors of the 28-year-old’s three-month contract, which starts in January, have been so great that the Bears have moved a number of their upcoming women’s games to the 27,000-seat Ashton Gate. A new club record attendance is expected for a West Country derby there. On Sunday they play Gloucester-Hartpury.
precursor
Gilpin said: “We know that these incredible young women are coming to gaming with compelling personal stories and very strong personalities, and like Ilona, they see gaming as a great platform to build their own brands.
“I actually think this is a great example for the men’s game and that’s what rugby needs.
“We know that in the women’s game there is a shift in fandom following individual players and certainly the platform we will give them at the Women’s World Cup will be that gateway.
“So we’re really excited to see what Ilona and so many other amazing women will bring next year.”
Maher won seven Olympic bronze medals on Dancing with the Stars, the American equivalent of Strictly Come Dancing, where he was a finalist.
Gilpin added: “Ilona is unique in many ways because she is a pioneer in the women’s game. However, there are many outstanding female players who will compete in this tournament next year.
“Ilona gave everyone permission to go and be themselves.”
2025 World Cup
Organizers are confident the World Cup final on September 27 will be a sell-out at Twickenham, which will also break attendance records for a women’s rugby event at the Stade de France this summer.
Ticket sales for the eight-arena tournament are going much faster than expected, with 220,000 tickets already sold, about half of inventory.
This includes the 50% already sold for England’s opening match against the United States at the Sunderland Stadium of Light on August 22.
Fans from more than 30 European countries secured seats, with around 10% of purchases coming from overseas.
Gilpin added: “This is not only a landmark moment for the women’s game, but certainly a landmark moment for rugby and an opportunity to present a different face for rugby.
“It’s a younger, more inclusive, more vibrant and certainly more family-oriented audience for our sport, and it’s an event that will move the dial – probably in many ways that the men’s edition can’t or won’t do for us at the moment. .”
red roses
England’s Red Roses, who went unbeaten in 2024, will be hoping to avenge their painful loss to New Zealand in 2021.
The tournament’s opening match will take place less than a month after Euro 2025, where England’s Lionesses will look to defend their title and their first major trophy from 2022.
Rugby World Cup 2025 Executive Director Sarah Massey said: “We are seeing women’s sport take center stage and I think this will continue next year.
“We see this as an opportunity for all women’s sport, all boating alliances. This is an opportunity for everyone to collaborate and cooperate with each other.
“Summer is the season for women’s sports.”
Read more: Ellie Kildunne believes the impact of a home Rugby World Cup is ‘beyond imagination’.
