Maher's arrival is seen as a major coup for Bears.

The 28-year-old, who won bronze with the USA at this summer's Paris Olympics, is the most followed rugby player on the planet.

The Vermont native has 4.5 million followers on Instagram and 3.2 million on TikTok which Ward believes will help showcase his side and the rest of the league to a wider audience.

"I think everybody agrees the RFU, the PWR have supported her visa applications and rightly so, it's for the good of the game," Ward added.

"You walk into the building and it's to inspire the community for rugby's success. If this is getting eyes on the girls what they're doing, and I get to see it day in day out, I want more people to see it, I want more people in Bristol to see it and I want more people around the world to see it.

"If it does get more eyeballs on it, then all the better for me."

If she is not ready for the Gloucester-Hartpury game, Maher's Premiership debut could be on 12 January when Bears visit Exeter.

Bristol are fourth in the PWR on 25 points and face league leaders Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.