Ilona Maher is in line to make her Bristol Bears debut from the bench on Sunday as 8,000 fans are expected at Ashton Gate for their Women's Rugby Premiership clash against Gloucester-Hartpury.
The American rugby sevens star has signed a major three-month deal for Bristol and has 3.3 million followers on TikTok and 4.6 million on Instagram.
The 28-year-old rose to fame during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics when she posted videos on social media from the COVID-stricken Olympic Village and again proved to be a major figure at the 2024 Paris Olympics as the US won bronze in to seven.
Maher will make his first Bristol appearance on Sunday after being 23rd among the substitutes as the PWR champions visit Gloucester-Hartpury.
“With a crowd of almost 8,000 expected at Ashton Gate on Sunday, it's a hugely exciting occasion and we hope to give them something to cheer about,” said Bristol head coach Dave Ward.
“We understand the importance of the game in the context of our season and the quality of the current champions, but we go into the game with confidence and relishing the opportunity and the challenge.”
Maher has joined the Bristol Bears on a three-month deal starting this January
World Rugby boss Alan Gilpin said he is confident TikTok sensation Maher is just what the sport needs as it builds momentum towards this summer's World Cup in England.
Gilpin said: “We know these brilliant young women come into the game with compelling personal stories, with really powerful personalities, seeing the game as a great platform to build their own brands like Ilona's.
“It's actually a great example for the men's game and I think that's what we need in rugby.
“We know there's that shift in fandom towards fans following individual players in the women's game, and certainly the platform we're going to give them at the Women's World Cup is a gateway to that.
“We are really excited for what Ilona and so many other brilliant women will bring next year.”
Maher hopes to represent the United States at next year's Rugby World Cup in England
Maher followed up her Olympic bronze medal week with a performance at the US Strictly Come Dancing equivalent, Dancing with the starswhere she was a finalist.
Gilpin added: “Ilona is unique in many ways because she is a pioneer in the women's game, but there are a whole host of brilliant women playing in this tournament next year.
“Ilona gave everyone permission to go and be themselves.”
The Bristol Bears team will face Gloucester-Hartpury at Ashton Gate on Sunday (12.45 KO):
Bristol Bears: 15 Jasmin Joyce-Butchers, 14 Reneeqa Bonner, 13 Cortney Keight, 12 Phoebe Murray, 11 Millie David (Millie David, 10 Holly, 9) Fion Lewis; 1 Hannah Botterman, 2 Lark Atkin-Davies, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Hollie Cunningham, 5 Abbie Ward (c), 6Elisha Joviers, -Alisha Joviers Gallagher, 8Rownita Marston-Mulhearn.
Replacements: 16. Jess Sprague, 17. Simi Pam, 18. Holly Phillips, 19. Delaney Burns, 20. Gabriella Nigrelli, 21. Ryall Me, Tilly, 21. 23 Ilona Maher.
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into it Sky TVstreaming service NOW and The Sky Sports appgiving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Learn more here.