Wallabies prop Angus Bell is set to miss the Waratahs\u2019 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season by taking up a sabbatical abroad.<\/b><\/p>\n
The loosehead is currently tied to Rugby Australia until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but built into that deal is a clause which allows him to seek a short-term contract overseas.<\/p>\n
It is akin to the agreement many All Blacks<\/a> have with New Zealand Rugby as RA also look to find innovative ways of keeping their best talent in the country.<\/p>\n Set for Ireland move<\/p>\n Bell has duly decided to take advantage of that opportunity and it has been reported by The Roar<\/a> that the 24-year-old has agreed to sign for Irish side Ulster.<\/p>\n The Belfast-based outfit have struggled this season but they have already shown their intent ahead of the 2025\/26 campaign by bringing in Springboks<\/a> hopeful Juarno Augustus from Northampton Saints.<\/p>\n The Wallabies<\/a> prop would be another statement addition as the Ulstermen seek to bolster a front-row which was weakened when ex-Springboks star Steven Kitshoff left in 2024.<\/p>\n It is a blow for the Waratahs, however, who will be without the powerhouse loosehead for next year\u2019s Super Rugby Pacific campaign.<\/p>\n Despite that setback, the Sydney outfit did receive some good news on Wednesday with Pete Samu returning to Australia after signing a two-year deal.<\/p>\n Samu has been a standout for Bordeaux-Begles since moving to France in 2023 and, injury-dependent, will start in the Investec Champions Cup final this weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cMy family and I are really happy to be coming home. We\u2019ve enjoyed our time in France but it\u2019s the right time for us to return to Australia,\u201d the back-rower said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt feels like a full circle moment to come back to Sydney, a place I started my journey to playing professional Rugby and I\u2019m looking forward to linking back up with [head coach] Dan [McKellar] and the Waratahs who I\u2019m confident are heading in a positive direction.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m also highly motivated by the upcoming events in Australian Rugby and will certainly be working hard to give myself the best chance to be part of them and earn another opportunity in the gold jersey.\u201d<\/p>\n