Australia v Ireland: Angus Bell ready for reunion in Nations Championship

Bell said “similar cultures” in Belfast and Australia helped him to settle in to his new surroundings, the “identity” was also familiar.

“They’re very similar to Australians, very similar people, very similar cultures; they love a beer, they love going to the pub, they love hanging out, it’s very similar to what the Australian identity is, even around the change room, very similar as well.

“I’ve made friends for life from Northern Ireland and Belfast, so it’ll be interesting playing those boys.”

While it is unclear how many of Ulster’s contingent will line out in Sydney, Bell admits it will be a strange experience to face them in the Nations Championship opener.

“We’ve been talking over the past three or four weeks, I only came back a week ago, so it’s going to be interesting going up against them,” he said.

“They’re top fellas, I couldn’t speak any higher of them, just like I couldn’t speak any higher of the boys here at the Wallabies squad too.”