Ilona Maher is set to debut at the Women’s Rugby World Cup when the United States faces England, the host country, in the tournament’s opening match.
Maher became the world’s most followed female rugby player, achieving stardom and helping the United States obtain the bronze medal in rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics last summer.
Subsequently, he focused his attention on the 15-a-side code and the World Cup. Maher, 28, joined the English club Bristol Bears earlier this year, where he scored four tries in seven appearances. The demand to see her was so intense that the Bears had to move their home games to a larger stadium.
The United States, nicknamed the Eagles, has a difficult start in the World Cup: England is the favorite of the tournament and will seek to make an early mark during the match, which will be played at the stadium of the Premier League football club, Sunderland.
The tournament this summer promises to be the biggest yet: 16 teams will compete to lift the trophy at Twickenham, London, on September 27, with attendance records likely to be broken as the sport seeks to go mainstream.
People have to come and show that this is something exciting and entertaining to watch. Our sporting events have to be something that attracts people: it’s something fun to go to.
Ilona Maher
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