'Show your personality' - Bern defends TikTok dance

Guinness Women's Six Nations: Ireland v England

Venue: Virgin Media Park, Cork Date: Saturday, 12 April Kick-off: 16:45 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC Two, iPlayer and online, listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, live text and video highlights on BBC Sport website and app.

England prop Sarah Bern says she would not hesitate if asked to perform another TikTok dance live on air - because it is "fun" and shows "personality".

Following the Red Roses' 11-try hammering of Wales at Principality Stadium in round two of the Women's Six Nations, Bern and Wales full-back Jasmine Joyce-Butchers joined BBC Sport pundits live on air and performed a TikTok dance that went viral.

Backlash on social media soon followed for Joyce-Butchers, who later defended her participation, because her side had just suffered a 55-point defeat in front of a record crowd of 21,186 for a Wales women's team event on home soil.

Bern, 27, confirmed BBC producers had approached her prior to the game about doing the dance, with the Bristol Bears prop grabbing her club team-mate right before going on TV.

Both players were inspired to express themselves online by TikTok rugby sensation Ilona Maher, who has over eight million followers on social media and played with the pair during her recent short stint at Bristol.

"I said how cool it would be to celebrate Wales getting a record crowd and new coach and this being an amazing event," Bern told BBC's Rugby Union Weekly.

"Jaz loved the idea. At club we are silly and funny. That is where we are at Bristol after Ilona brought a real nice light to social media and filled us with confidence to show your personality and enjoy it.

"I want women – for me anyway as it is not something I had – to be really strong female role models.

"Let's roll with the punches. That is what I would love to be and something I am navigating in myself. It is something I would love people to look up to and say 'she gave it her best shot, had fun, what a way of living life'."

'Maher has got a bigger job to do'

Ilona Maher smiles for selfies with fans
Ilona Maher was praised for her engagement with fans during her time at Bristol Bears [Getty Images]

Bern confirmed 27-year-old American star ...

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