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One of Bristol Rugby's biggest stars has taken to social media to defend the club's new name change to the Bristol Bears.

Social media has been full of mockery of the new name, which will come into place on June 1 ahead of the club's return to the Premiership.

That includes some famous names, including Channel Five's Aviva Premiership Rugby Highlights show pundit David Flatman, a who played for Bath in his playing days.

Flatman Tweeted: "Is this Bristol Bears thing a joke?"

And Bristol fly half Madigan leapt to his club's defence - replying: "It’s no joke. I like your show on Channel 5, good analysis and some very witty moments. But save the negative comment when @Bristol_RFC are trying to build a sustainable club in a challenging time for professional rugby."

In fairness, Flatman replied: "And I support Bristol all the way. Always have. Just feels odd to me. I expect time will alter that, as it has done with Tigers et al."

It certainly seems, in public at least, the current crop of Bristol players which have taken the club back to the top flight, are well behind the rebranding, with most taking to social media to discuss the big news.

If Bristol Bears are to be a success in the immediate future Irish international fly-half Madigan is going to be a huge reason.

The number 10 is the leading points scorer in the Greene King IPA Championship with 232 points this season and his 100 percent kicking display in the 68-10 defeat of Doncaster Knights means he is now the club's record conversion kicker in a single season with 67 so far.

That surpasses Adrian Jarvis' 62 in the the 2009/10 season.

And Madigan says he is completely on board with the grand plan at Bristol.

Speaking to ESPN Scrum, he said: "On day one Pat came in and made it clear, the process of where we want to get to. The Championship was part of that but ultimately we are part of a grand plan at Bristol and we have been building towards being a sustainable Premiership side.

"It isn't like we've been drinking champagne since we found out the news [of promotion] over the weekend.

"It was goal number one but while it is a good achievement to get promoted, we are very much building towards being a Champions Cup team.

"That is our goal. It is not resting on our laurels and happy to be back in the Premiership. It is being back, performing and building something that is going to be sustainable which is something Bristol have struggled to do over the last 10 years."