Waratahs coach McKellar backs Bell's Irish sabbatical
NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has given the green light for Wallabies prop Angus Bell to miss the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season while enjoying a sabbatical in Ireland.
Bell will link with Ulster after the 2025 Test season and return for the Wallabies' 2026 international program.
"To play a season for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship will provide me with new experiences and skills which I look forward to bringing back to Australia with me," 24-year-old Bell said.
The loosehead remains a linchpin for the Waratahs and his departure comes less than a week after McKellar said the under-achieving franchise needed a cultural overhaul.
McKellar, though, believes the short-term pain of losing Bell will ultimately prove a long-term gain for the Waratahs, who must win their remaining two games to have any chance of featuring in this year's finals.
"He's a young man who came straight out of school into the NSW Waratahs system, and we think the time at Ulster will be good for his development on and off the field, which ultimately will help the Waratahs long term.
Bell earned his 50th NSW Waratahs cap in the round-nine win over the Chiefs in Sydney.
The eighth-placed Tahs take on the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night before rounding out the regular season against the Blues in Auckland.
NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has given the green light for Wallabies prop Angus Bell to miss the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season while enjoying a sabbatical in Ireland.
Bell will link with Ulster after the 2025 Test season and return for the Wallabies' 2026 international program.
"To play a season for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship will provide me with new experiences and skills which I look forward to bringing back to Australia with me," 24-year-old Bell said.
The loosehead remains a linchpin for the Waratahs and his departure comes less than a week after McKellar said the under-achieving franchise needed a cultural overhaul.
McKellar, though, believes the short-term pain of losing Bell will ultimately prove a long-term gain for the Waratahs, who must win their remaining two games to have any chance of featuring in this year's finals.
"He's a young man who came straight out of school into the NSW Waratahs system, and we think the time at Ulster will be good for his development on and off the field, which ultimately will help the Waratahs long term.
Bell earned his 50th NSW Waratahs cap in the round-nine win over the Chiefs in Sydney.
The eighth-placed Tahs take on the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night before rounding out the regular season against the Blues in Auckland.
NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has given the green light for Wallabies prop Angus Bell to miss the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season while enjoying a sabbatical in Ireland.
Bell will link with Ulster after the 2025 Test season and return for the Wallabies' 2026 international program.
"To play a season for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship will provide me with new experiences and skills which I look forward to bringing back to Australia with me," 24-year-old Bell said.
The loosehead remains a linchpin for the Waratahs and his departure comes less than a week after McKellar said the under-achieving franchise needed a cultural overhaul.
McKellar, though, believes the short-term pain of losing Bell will ultimately prove a long-term gain for the Waratahs, who must win their remaining two games to have any chance of featuring in this year's finals.
"He's a young man who came straight out of school into the NSW Waratahs system, and we think the time at Ulster will be good for his development on and off the field, which ultimately will help the Waratahs long term.
Bell earned his 50th NSW Waratahs cap in the round-nine win over the Chiefs in Sydney.
The eighth-placed Tahs take on the Western Force in Perth on Saturday night before rounding out the regular season against the Blues in Auckland.
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