Angus Bell will reportedly skip the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season and as a substitute 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 obtainable, which he’s entitled to do underneath the sabbatical clause in his long-term Rugby Australia contract.
The report suggests Bristol and Ulster had been main the pursuit as events, with the latter being the extra seemingly of the 2 locations.
Bell’s recruitment, albeit for only one season, would inject extra worldwide high quality right into a entrance row unit that till not too long ago included Springboks stalwart Steven Kitshoff.
The 36-cap Wallaby’s absence can be a serious blow for the Waratahs, whose playoff hopes at the moment hold by a thread within the waning 2025 season. The group have been caught close to the underside of the desk over current seasons however had been extra not too long ago favoured by many native pundits as title contenders after absorbing a bevy of worldwide skills within the Melbourne Rebels’ demise.
Fellow Wallaby props Taniela Tupou and the not too long ago capped Isaac Aedo Kailea had been two of these big-name recruits, the latter of whom is bound to get a promotion to Bell’s No. 1 jersey in the course of the sabbatical.
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 at the moment on is slim. Even skills like Tate McDermott and Rob Valetini are stated to be struggling to seek out keen golf equipment.
Midfield star Len Ikitau had no such points when touchdown a cope with Exeter Chiefs. That deal took place throughout contract negotiations with Rugby Australia underneath the union’s new central contracting construction.
Bell is contracted to the Waratahs and Rugby Australia by to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which takes place on house soil for the teenager.
