Bell will return to Waratahs after his sabbatical, along with his contract operating by way of to the top of 2027.
Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar mentioned the membership have been “supportive” of his resolution to affix Ulster to proceed his “private progress”.
“He is a younger man, who got here straight out of faculty into the Waratahs system, and we expect the time at Ulster can be good for his improvement on and off the sector, which in the end will assist the Waratahs long run,” he mentioned.
Bell’s arrival later this 12 months will proceed the development of southern-hemisphere gamers becoming a member of Irish provinces on short-term offers.
New Zealand worldwide Jordie Barrett is nearing the top of his stint with Leinster having joined in December, along with his All Blacks team-mate Rieko Ioane set to reach on the finish of 2025.
The announcement of Bell’s short-term deal comes on the identical day Ulster confirmed the departure of New Zealand-born fly-half Aidan Morgan by “mutual consent”.
Ulster have already signed South African again row Juarno Augustus from Northampton Saints earlier than subsequent season, whereas loose-head Andy Warwick was amongst a number of departures on the finish of the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
The province pulled off a serious coup in 2022 once they landed South Africa’s World Cup-winning loose-head Steven Kitshoff, however he left after only one season.
Murphy’s facet are hoping to bounce again after a depressing season during which they missed out on the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs and qualification for subsequent season’s Investec Champions Cup.
About the Author
