Ilona Maher to Make Rugby World Cup Debut for USA Against England
American rugby star Ilona Maher will make her highly anticipated Rugby World Cup debut for the USA against host nation England in Sunderland.
The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup is set to showcase some of the sport’s brightest talents, and all eyes will be on Maher, who has rapidly become a prominent figure in the world of rugby. Over the past 18 months, the Olympic bronze medalist has garnered over eight million followers on social media, significantly expanding rugby’s reach to new audiences globally.
In late 2024, Maher made a pivotal career decision, transitioning from rugby sevens to 15s with the explicit goal of competing in the 2025 Rugby World Cup for the United States. This strategic move underscores her commitment to the longer format of the game and her ambition to represent her country on the world stage.
Maher has been named in the USA’s starting lineup for the tournament’s opening match against England. The former Bristol Bears player will take the field at outside centre for her first appearance in a 15s World Cup competition. She will line up alongside fellow Olympic medalist Alev Kelter, who will start at inside centre (12). Since joining the 15s setup, Maher has demonstrated versatility, playing both outside centre and on the wing, though she has been primarily utilized in the centre position during her time with the national team.
The American star will face a formidable challenge against England’s renowned centre pairing of Tatyna Heard and Meg Jones, widely considered two of the best players in the world at their position. Heard recently secured a third consecutive PWR title with Gloucester-Hartpury, while Jones has experience in both sevens and 15s rugby.
According to USA head coach Sione Fukofuka, Hope Rogers, who will start at loosehead prop alongside Maher and Kelter, is “the best loosehead in the world.” The England Red Roses will be captained by Zoe Aldcroft, with current World Rugby Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne positioned at full-back. Veteran Emily Scarratt is also included in the England squad, poised to make her fifth Rugby World Cup appearance.
England Team:
- Hannah Botterman
- Amy Cokayne
- Maud Muir
- Morwenna Talling
- Abbie Ward
- Zoe Aldcroft
- Kabeya
- Alex Matthews
- Natasha Hunt
- Zoe Harrison
- Jess Breach
- Tatyana Heard
- Megan Jones
- Abby Dow
- Ellie Kildunne
Replacements: Lark Atkin-Davies, Kelsey Clifford, Sarah Bern, Rosie Galligan, Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer, Emily Scarratt, Emma Sing.
USA Team:
- Hope Rogers
- Kathryn Treder
- This is the Sugapo Paola Suga
- Tahlia Brody
- Erica Jarrell-Searcy
- Cate
- Georgie Perris-Redding
- Rachel Johnson
- Olivia orthiz
- McKenzie Hawkins
- Buloo monitor
- Alev Kelter
- Ilona Maher
- Emily Henrich
- Lotte Sharp
Replacements: 16.
Maher’s debut marks a significant moment for both the player and the growing profile of American rugby, as she steps onto the world stage ready to compete against one of the sport’s most established programs.
