The Waratahs’ hopes of moving up the Super Rugby standings in 2026 have taken a hit, with rising Wallabies talent Angus Bell to miss the entire season.

The Roar can reveal the 24-year-old is poised to take advantage of a sabbatical clause built into his four-year deal with Rugby Australia by taking up a short-term deal up north.

Bell informed teammates recently of his intentions to head abroad in 2026.

Both Bristol and Ulster have been on the hunt for a loose-head prop, but it’s believed the Test regular could be heading to Kingspan Stadium.

Should he indeed head to Northern Ireland, it will be the same club his manager, former State of Origin and Queensland Reds back Clinton Schifcofske, played at before hanging up the boots in 2010.

Angus Bell has told teammates he has accepted a sabbatical deal overseas. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Ulster haven’t shied away from luring big name props to the club, having had double World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff on their books recently. But the Springbok didn’t stay long and retired because of injury.

It also continues the recent trend of Irish clubs hunting big name internationals, with Leinster signing Rieko Ioane to replace Jordie Barrett.

It’s understood as many as a handful of Wallabies had sabbaticals built into their deals, but Bell is the only one who has successfully found a club. Others like Tate McDermott and Rob Valetini explored the option of heading overseas but found that not many clubs, especially in Japan, are on the hunt for players on short-term deals now.

Bell has been weighing up the decision for months, with insiders telling The Roar that the prop has wanted a break for some time.

It comes after Bell’s extraordinary, albeit injury-riddled, rise since debuting in 2020.

Not only has Bell missed the best part of two Super Rugby campaigns because of foot issues, he’s also had to shoulder much of the burden up front for the club in the absence of a top quality pack.

He’s also experienced the highs and lows of playing for the Wallabies and Waratahs during some of their worst years on record, including at the 2023 World Cup.

Last year, the Waratahs won just two matches in Super Rugby and finished last. It came after the franchise went winless in 2021.

At the same time, Bell has had three Wallabies coaches and five Waratahs coaches.

Angus Bell won’t play for the Waratahs in 2026. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

While Bell will miss the entire Super Rugby season, Joe Schmidt’s first-choice loose-head prop will be back in time for the Wallabies’ campaign.

In the short term, his departure will be a blow for the Waratahs, but several people at Daceyville believe his move up north will prove beneficial not just for Bell but Australian rugby.

One of the most damaging ball-running props in the game, Bell’s scrummaging is his biggest area of improvement and several sources have said the loose-head front-rower will return to Australia with more tricks up his sleeve.

Bell’s departure will also force the Waratahs to continue to develop their other loose-head props, with Tom Lambert and Wallaby Isaac Kailea sharing minutes in 2025.

Youngsters Jack Barrett and Adrian Brown are also on the books.

Whether Bell’s brief departure could impact Taniela Tupou’s future remains to be seen.

Waratahs teammates Angus Bell (L) and Taniela Tupou (R) ahead of the 2023 World Cup campaign. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

But at the very least the Waratahs should have some more cash up their sleeve if they want to try and keep the giant tight-head prop.

Although the Waratahs and Rugby Australia won’t go anywhere near Tupou’s current $1.2 million deal, the powerful Wallaby could be tempted to keep his feet grounded after moving to his third Super Rugby franchise in as many years.

RA could also be tempted to offer him a short-term deal given the fact that tight-head props, especially ones with more than 50 Tests of experience under the belt, don’t grow on trees.