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Bristol Bears' ambition knows no bounds.

Fresh from not just securing their place in the Gallagher Premiership next season but putting themselves in a serious position to finish in the the top six, Bristol majority shareholder Steve Lansdown has now revealed plans to expand into America.

Lansdown's ambition to explore overseas markets has been known for sometime, and the club's rebranding from Bristol Rugby to Bristol Bears a year ago was a stepping stone to making the club more attractive to foreign markets.

Now The Rugby Paper are reporting Lansdown is exploring the possibility of investing in a sister-club in the USA with America's newly former Major League Rugby set to expand from nine clubs to 12 in 2020.

(Image: Rogan/JMP)

The Bears are considering a link akin to Premier League side Manchester City who have stakes in the likes of New York City FC and Melbourne City FC.

Lansdown said: "The future of rugby is one a world-wide basis and we need to be a part of it.

"Interest is being raised and we're exploring what might be out there.

The reality is that as a business there are opportunities in America that we're looking at, not just in New York but right across the country with what's happening in MLR.

Lansdown explained the reasoning behind the move, should it materialise. He said: "There's two aspects to this: one, from a player recruitment aspect it provides an opportunity to give your own developing players opportunities to play in competitive leagues while tapping into their growing pool of players and two, you can develop your brand because American clubs will become significant players in the market in coming years."

Bristol have spent players out on loan deals to Championship side Hartpury and Pro14 outfit Ospreys this season to give them game time while young prop Ollie Dawe is currently out at New Zealand club side Sumner RFC.

Lansdown continued: "MLR is a bit like Major League Soccer when it started; you've got local players with some older or lesser known guys from abroad.

"But I'm sure as it develops some of the bigger names will go there and the profile of the league will grow."

Just yesterday it was confirmed that France and Toulon star Mathieu Bastareaud will join New York Rugby United in a sabbatical season following the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan this autumn.

Lansdown added: "We've seen in football how Manchester City have tied-up with New York and it helps them develop a global business and promote their brand."

Premiership rugby has previously taken league games to the USA with Saracens playing Newcastle Falcons in Philadelphia in 2017 and London Irish taking on Saracens in New Jersey in 2016.

USA television network NBC Sport also show live games in the the states and will be broadcasting Bristol Bears v Sale Sharks on Friday night.

Premier Rugby's affiliation with the USA continues to strengthen with US insurance giants Gallagher taking over as title sponsor of the league in 2018/19 in a multi-year deal.