SUNDERLAND, England — Ilona Maher’s mission at the Women’s Rugby World Cup is about more than just winning games. Heading into the United States’ tournament opener on Friday, the world’s most followed rugby player on social media wants to get more eyeballs on the sport as it ramps up attempts to crack the market in America.

"She was great when she came to Bristol,” England lock Abbie Ward recalls of her former teammate. “She brought loads of energy. She has a lot of experience in the sevens and she'll take that into the 15s.