Report: Rising Wallabies star Angus Bell set for URC excursion

Angus Bell will reportedly skip the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season and instead spend his seventh season of professional rugby in Europe.

Australian outlet The Roar are reporting the 24-year-old has landed a one-year deal after making himself available, which he is entitled to do under the sabbatical clause in his long-term Rugby Australia contract.

The report suggests Bristol and Ulster were leading the pursuit as interested parties, with the latter being the more likely of the two destinations.

Bell’s recruitment, albeit for just one season, would inject more international quality into a front row unit that until recently included Springboks stalwart Steven Kitshoff.

The 36-cap Wallaby’s absence would be a major blow for the Waratahs, whose playoff hopes currently hang by a thread in the waning 2025 season. The team have been stuck near the bottom of the table over recent seasons but were more recently favoured by many local pundits as title contenders after absorbing a bevy of international talents in the Melbourne Rebels’ demise.

Fellow Wallaby props Taniela Tupou and the recently capped Isaac Aedo Kailea were two of those big-name recruits, the latter of whom is sure to get a promotion to Bell’s No. 1 jersey during the sabbatical.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

31

35

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

60%

As is the case for their neighbours across the ditch, the Wallabies stars remain eligible for national selection whilst plying their trade overseas on sabbatical.

The report also suggests there are a small number of Wallabies stars with sabbatical clauses in their contracts, but the market for one-year deals like the one All Black Jordie Barrett is currently on is slim. Even talents like Tate McDermott and Rob Valetini are said to be struggling to find willing clubs.

Midfield star Len Ikitau had no such issues when landing a deal with Exeter Chiefs. That deal came about during contract negotiations with Rugby Australia under the union’s new central contracting structure.

Bell is contracted to the Waratahs and Rugby Australia through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which takes place on home soil for the youngster.