Ilona Maher refuses to rule out Premiership Women's Rugby return as loan spell at Bristol Bears ends - 'Never say never'
By Becky Hart
Published 03/03/2025 at 09:29 GMT
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Ilona Maher’s time as a Bristol Bears player has drawn to a close with their defeat in the Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-finals to Gloucester-Hartpury. The American star has hinted that she may well return to British shores in the future, but for now she is heading back to the US to prepare for a spate of internationals leading up to this year's World Cup.
Maher powers over in corner as Bristol hit back in thrilling semi-final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ilona Maher caused a big stir when the US star signed a loan deal with Bristol Bears, joining the Premiership Women’s Rugby side in January.
But with the Bears losing to Gloucester-Hartpury in the semi-finals of the PWR on Sunday, Maher’s time with the club has come to an end.
She is heading stateside, returning home to prepare for a string of internationals with the USA as they start their build up to this summer’s World Cup.
But Maher has had a big impact in her short stint with the Bears, fans turning up in their thousands to watch the star in action - and she does not seem adverse to a return to Ashton Gate in the future.
"Never say never, I think it was amazing that I got to come and play here for two and a half months," Maher said, as reported by the BBC.
"What I was hopefully able to do and learn in two and a half months was amazing but I hope that even if I'm not playing, this league continues to grow and we can get these numbers out to games even when I'm not there."
Maher spent much of last year concentrating on sevens, winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics with the USA. But her focus is now very much on the expanded version of the game with a view to helping her country go for World Cup glory in August.
"We start with the Pac Four with USA 15s and I hope I've proven myself in this space to vie for a roster spot in the USA team and I hope I'll be selected for that," Maher continued.
"It'll be a lot of continuing to learn the game and put myself in the position to make a roster for the World Cup but also be the best player I can be in the World Cup."
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In her spell with Bristol, Maher played seven times for the Bears and scored a handful of tries as they saw their season end with a semi-final defeat to Gloucester-Hartpury, the same side that ended their hopes of winning the Premiership last season in the final.
"I'm proud to have been part of this team, a special programme they have here," Maher said.
"The girls were so welcoming and made me part of the team and I got to play with some of England's best players and Wales and Scotland, so it just set me up to be more successful at the World Cup.
"I'll be playing against them - I wish I was playing with them but it was amazing."
The World Cup takes place in England later this year, with the USA set to feature in the opening match against the hosts on Friday, August 22 at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.
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