Wallabies star Bell signs for Ulster in major blow to Waratahs

Wallabies prop Angus Bell will miss the Waratahs’ Super Rugby Pacific campaign in 2026 after signing on for a season at Irish province Ulster.

Bell’s contract with Rugby Australia, which runs until 2027, includes a sabbatical clause – similar to that of Wallabies centre Len Ikitau, who will spend next season with Exeter in England.

Bell will move to Belfast after the Wallabies’ spring tour in November, and spend the rest of the United Rugby Championship – which run until mid-June, 2026 – with Ulster. He will return in time for the Wallabies’ Test season, which begins in July.

An announcement is expected from Rugby Australia and the Waratahs later this week.

The 24-year-old has emerged as one of Australia’s most important players and follows in the footsteps of former Wallabies Justin Harrison, Christian Lealiifano, Henry Speight and Sam Carter in moving to Belfast.

New Zealand’s Jordie Barrett has recently enjoyed a successful sabbatical with Irish giants Leinster, with Ulster making Bell a priority signing for next season.

Angus Bell’s departure is a huge blow to the WaratahsCredit: Getty Images

Bell’s agent, Clinton Schifcofske, played for Ulster in 2008 alongside the club’s current general manager Bryn Cunningham.

Speaking to the Belfast News Letter in 2021, Schifcofske spoke about his time playing for Ulster.

“I’ve travelled the world and try to compare people to Australians, and I think the Irish are as close as I got. They like a drink and are fantastic characters, so we had great fun,” Schifcofske said.

Bell will experience a gruelling schedule at Ulster, playing in the URC and European fixtures immediately after an extended international season.

Angus Bell on the charge at Twickenham.Credit: AP

Former European champions Ulster last won major silverware in 2006, when Harrison captained the side to the Celtic League title, the predecessor to the current URC. US Masters champion Rory McIlroy is a regular visitor to their games.

The Ulstermen have a rich history, with some of Ireland’s greatest players – including Mike Gibson and Willie-John McBride– having worn the club’s famous red hand emblem.

However, Bell will arrive at a club experiencing major difficulties on and off the field. Ulster are currently on five-match losing streak and will play in the second tier of European rugby for the first time next season after failing to qualify for the Champions Cup, which they won in 1999.

The club is also grappling with financial challenges, recently reporting a deficit of €3 million ($5.2 million), with outside investment needed to fund major signings including Juarno Augustus, Northampton’s highly-regarded South African No.8 who will join the club next season.

Bell has dealt with significant injuries in his career, including a season-ending toe injury last year, and has said the Waratahs’ training field was “too hard and not conducive to scrummaging”.

Ulster installed an artificial playing surface at their home stadium two years ago, partly to deal with the frequent inclement weather in Belfast.

Bell’s impending departure will leave a major gap for Waratahs coach Dan McKellar to fill next season, with Wallabies prop Isaac Kailea struggling for selection due to concerns about his scrummaging and Tom Lambert lacking high-level experience.

After working with Wallabies scrum coach Mike Cron to put less pressure on his toes during set-pieces, Bell has been one of NSW’s strongest performers, playing 11 games this season and averaging 59 minutes on the field.

The Waratahs will travel to Perth to face the Force on Saturday needing a win to have any chance of remaining in the hunt for finals.

McKellar has made changes to his side after last week’s defeat to the Crusaders, promoting tighthead prop Taniela Tupou to the starting lineup after coming off the bench in last five games for the Waratahs.

Lalakai Foketi also returns to the starting lineup to partner Joey Walton in the centres, with rookie Henry O’Donnell dropping out of the match-day squad.

Lawson Creighton switches from five-eighth to start his first Super Rugby game at fullback, with Andrew Kellaway moved to the wing and Darby Lancaster dropping to the bench.

Meanwhile, Rugby Australia have confirmed the signing of breakaway Pete Samu for the Waratahs next season until the end of 2027. Samu will play in the Champions Cup final for Bordeaux against Northampton this Saturday.

Samu has been in contact with Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and his potential involvement in the French Top 14 final on 28 June.

Samu wants to play in the Tests against the British and Irish Lions if selected in Schmidt’s upcoming Wallabies squad.

“I feel like I’m playing some of my best footy which I feel I can add a lot to [the team] back home, and I wouldn’t be [coming] back holding pads,” Samu said.

In the women’s game, the Wallaroos will play their final Test of the Pacific Four series against Canada at Suncorp Stadium this Friday with sevens star Charlotte Caslick named at inside centre for the first time.

Caslick earned her previous two caps in the series against New Zealand and the USA on the wing and will partner experienced outside centre Georgina Friedrichs in Brisbane.

Caslick’s Olympic teammate Tia Hinds is named on the bench, after starting at five-eighth against New Zealand.

Winger Biola Dawa will play her first Test this season as coach Jo Yapp seeks to build depth ahead of the World Cup.

Watch all the action from the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season on Stan Sport, the only place to watch every match live and on demand.