Ilona Maher goes from 'Dancing With the Stars' to playing rugby in the U.K.

Ilona Maher, America's biggest rugby star and "Dancing With the Stars" runner-up, has waltzed herself over to the United Kingdom to play for the Bristol Bears.

Ilona Maher, America's biggest rugby star and "Dancing With the Stars" runner-up, has waltzed herself over to the United Kingdom to play for the Bristol Bears.

Maher announced the move on her TikTok account Monday after months of speculation as to whether she might join the Premiership Women's Rugby league. Rumors began to circulate in October that she was in talks with the Bristol or Gloucester teams, but the season started while Maher was competing on the popular reality series "Dancing With the Stars."

The show, which films in Los Angeles, ended last week with Maher — and her partner, Alan Bersten — placing second. She added to the speculation that her playing career was headed across the pond when she posted over the weekend from an airport on her way to London.

But Maher finally put the rumors to rest in videos on her social media, saying, "The Eagle has landed."

"I'm looking forward to calling Bristol home as we gear up for the Rugby World Cup 2025 played here in England," Maher joked.

https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/rugby/ilona-maher-goes-dancing-stars-playing-rugby-uk-rcna182522

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