The 28-year-old Maher, who helped lead the U.S. to the bronze medal in rugby sevens at the Paris Games, signed for Bristol on a three-month contract that starts in January.

Ilona Maher, the world’s most-followed rugby player on social media, has joined Premiership Women’s Rugby club Bristol Bears on a three-month contract. Maher, 28, travelled to Bristol to complete her move this week and will be registered to play for her new club from January over the remaining three months of the season.

American rugby sevens star Ilona Maher will join 15-a-side club Bristol in January in a bid to play in next year's women's Rugby World Cup, the English club announced on Monday."I am excited to join the Bristol Bears and put myself in the best position to earn a spot to represent USA in the 2025 Rugby World Cup alongside such a talented and driven group as the Bears,