Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Martin Pengelly in Washington DC

‘She did it, big time’: Ilona Maher’s road to becoming rugby’s biggest breakout star since Lomu

US rugby player Ilona Maher holding a rugby ball
Ilona Maher has amassed 5.1m Instagram followers, making her comfortably the most popular rugby player on social media. Photograph: Andrew Kelly/Reuters

One Saturday in September 2014, the women’s rugby team from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut travelled to Norwich, Vermont. On the home team, a powerful 18-year-old prop scored three tries in a convincing win.

Quinnipiac coach Becky Carlson turned to her assistant. “Oh man,” she remembered saying. “Who’s the kid in the pink scrum cap? I’d give my right arm to have her.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.