Wallabies star set to make Ulster debut this weekend

Bell recently joined Ulster on a short-term deal from the NSW Waratahs, staying with the province until the end of the season. He starts among the replacements, with Sam Crean getting the nod at loosehead.

The 25-year-old has taken up a sabbatical option to play overseas and has now linked up with the squad. Bell burst onto the international scene just after turning 20, making his Wallabies debut against New Zealand, and has continued to develop ever since.

Unusually athletic for a front-rower, Bell stands 6’4” and weighs 125kg, bringing agility and physicality to the scrum. He originally played in the back row during his school days, a background that has shaped his dynamic style.

A natural leader, he captained the Junior Wallabies in the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship final, where they were narrowly beaten by France.

Since then, Bell has become a key figure for the Waratahs in Super Rugby, bringing up his 50th appearance for the side in April.

Ulster have also freshened up their front row, with Rob Herring and tighthead Tom O’Toole coming into the starting XV as Tom Stewart and Scott Wilson move to the bench.

In the second row, Charlie Irvine teams up with Harry Sheridan, as injuries to Iain Henderson, Matthew Dalton and Cormac Izuchukwu force changes.

Nick Timoney captains the side in Henderson’s absence and features in an unchanged back row alongside David McCann and Juarno Augustus.

Zac Ward returns on the left wing after missing last week’s victory over Benetton, with Werner Kok stepping out of the squad. Rob Baloucoune, in excellent form, continues on the right.

Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy remain the starting half-backs, Jude Postlethwaite and James Hume again line up in the centres, and Jacob Stockdale is selected at full-back.

Ulster are competing in the Challenge Cup this season after missing out on qualification for the Investec Champions Cup. They last reached the semi-finals of the competition in 2020/21, after dropping down from the Champions Cup pool stage.

Racing, six-time French champions, currently sit 11th in the Top 14 with six wins and five losses. The sides last met in Belfast during the 2023/24 Champions Cup pool campaign, when Ulster claimed a 31–15 victory.