For rugby union journalist and author Jessica Hayden, Ilona’s message of body positivity is breaking down a significant barrier in the women’s game.
“Half of the issue is that they don’t have the opportunity and that clubs don’t have women’s or girls offerings for them,” she tells Newsbeat.
“The other half of the issue is that, when they get to that age, there’s problems around body positivity.”
And while there have been campaigns in the past to promote body confidence, what makes Ilona cut through is her authenticity, Jessica says.
“Personalities are the most important thing in sport because people want to understand who this athlete is,” she says.
“What I really liked was seeing young girls talking to her [after her debut] about what Ilona’s done for them in terms of how they view their own bodies.
“And I’m sure those conversations are happening up and down the country about what she’s doing for the sport.”
