Wilson enjoying working with 'class player' Bell

Ulster prop Scott Wilson says he is enjoying working with and learning from Australia front row Angus Bell, who began a six-month spell on sabbatical with the Irish province in December.

Last week the 25-year-old Waratahs player spoke enthusiastically about his time with Ulster so far and speaking to BBC Sport NI before Sunday's Challenge Cup game with the Cheetahs (15:15 GMT), Wilson acknowledges that the feeling is mutual.

"He [Bell] is class as a player on and off the pitch. He's been great, I would scrum against him a lot with me being a tight-head and him a loose-head.

"He's been able to help me and hopefully I've been able to help him."

Ulster's season to date has seen them win six of their eight United Rugby Championship games, while in the European Challenge Cup they have defeated Racing 92 but lost to Cardiff.

The arrival of attack coach Mark Sexton and defence equivalent Willie Faloon has been credited with improving their fortunes after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign.

"Coming out of last season we were obviously disappointed with how it finished but I had a close connection with the coaches who I was involved with at the [Ireland] Under-20s and there was a real belief within the squad that we potentially had something special," added the 23-year-old.

"A good pre-season came together and things have just been going well for us."

Facing the Cheetahs in Amsterdam this weekend provides a novel challenge for the northern province.

"I'm looking forward to it, it'll be something different. I played against the Cheetahs two years ago with Emerging Ireland so it will be cool to face them again.

"As much as it's not the top competition it's a good competition with good quality teams and it's one we're enjoying competing in.

"We're taking it game-by-game and we'll see where it takes us."

Wilson explains that he is feeling as fit as he has for some time.

"Happy with how the season started, still feel that there's more I can give. I've struggled with a couple of wee niggles coming into the start of the season and they've sort of progressed but I'm finally feeling that they're now in the past and I'm feeling good.

"The more game minutes I can get the better and I'd obviously like to get more starts, but there's great competition there, me and Tom [O'Toole] are working really well off each other.

"Then there's another Ireland A game coming up [against England A on 6 February] and hopefully that's something I'd like to strive towards."