Main link in OG tweet https://apnews.com/article/ilona-maher-rugby-bristol-c2b04754a9111ed1be51c4620291fac8?utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter

@AP: US rugby star Ilona Maher gets first start for Bristol Bears on Sunday

A photo of Ilona Maher in a red Bristol Bears jersey holding a rugby ball with the headline: Ilona Maher Is So Popular, Her New Team Needed a Bigger Stadium

From @theathletic.bsky.social: Over 9,000 fans were in attendance for Ilona Maher’s Bristol Bears’ debut. The 28-year-old rugby star had to tackle a queue of photo-seekers more than 250 yards long. Some had traveled across the Atlantic to see a player who now transcends her sport. nyti.ms/4gJmWPl

OTD: ZURICH PREMIERSHIP 2003

Leicester Tigers 23 (Kronfeld 1t, Smith 1t, Lloyd 1t, Murphy 1c 2p)
Saracens 18

Welford Road, 4 January

Now with Premiership playoffs, Tigers lie fourth. Only the top three progressed in those early years. It wouldn’t matter as they finished sixth.

I'm so excited to see @ilonamaher01.bsky.social play for #Bristolbears tomorrow! Come on Bears 🐻