Bundee Aki will miss the first three matches of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign after being handed a four-match ban for “verbal abuse and disrespect” towards match officials following Connacht’s United Rugby Championship defeat to Leinster last Saturday.

Key headlines

• Bundee Aki has been banned for four matches following a misconduct complaint upheld by an independent disciplinary committee.
• The committee found Aki’s behaviour constituted “verbal abuse and disrespect” of match officials.
• The centre will miss Ireland’s Six Nations fixtures against France, Italy and England.
• Aki’s previous disciplinary record, including a similar incident in 2017, counted against him with the committee unable to apply mitigation.
• The ban adds to Ireland’s mounting selection crisis, with Hugo Keenan also ruled out after fracturing his thumb in training.

The 35-year-old centre appeared before an independent disciplinary committee on Wednesday afternoon, which found that he had “engaged with the match official team after the game on several occasions in a manner which breached the Disciplinary Rules.”

Aki was initially given a six-week suspension, but two of those weeks were suspended for two years, leaving an effective four-match ban. He will miss Connacht’s URC clash with Zebre Parma this Saturday, followed by Ireland’s opening three Six Nations fixtures against France, Italy and England.

The experienced centre will be available to return for Connacht against Glasgow in the URC on 28 February, meaning he could theoretically be recalled to the Ireland squad for the final two championship matches at home to Wales and Scotland in March.

Disciplinary ruling

A statement from the United Rugby Championship confirmed the full details of the ruling.

“A Misconduct Complaint made against Connacht Rugby’s Bundee Aki has been upheld by an Independent Disciplinary Committee resulting in a six-week suspension, two of which are suspended for two years,” the statement read.

“The Player today appeared in front of an Independent Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Roddy Dunlop KC (Scotland) and supported by Attie Heyns (South Africa) and Andrea Caranci (Italy), who considered the complaint related to Misconduct in breach of the United Rugby Championship’s Disciplinary Rules (including Clauses 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3).

“The Misconduct charges arose from the Round 10 BKT United Rugby Championship fixture on Saturday, January 24 at Dexcom Stadium, Galway. After considering all of the submissions, the Independent Committee deemed that the Player engaged with the match official team after the game on several occasions in a manner which breached the Disciplinary Rules.

“The Independent Committee concluded that the Player’s behaviour constituted verbal abuse and disrespect of a Match Official(s) under the relevant Rules. In determining its sanction, the Independent Committee felt that a suspension of six weeks was appropriate, with two of those weeks suspended.”

Previous record counts against Aki

Crucially, the committee acknowledged Aki’s expression of regret but noted his previous disciplinary history prevented any reduction in the sanction.
“The Committee also recognised the Player’s full regret for his actions and was grateful for the approach that he took towards the proceedings,” the statement continued. “However, given the player’s previous disciplinary record (including incidents of a similar nature) and his lack of a plea in this case, the Independent Committee could not apply mitigation to the sanction.

“The Committee also reminded the Player of the importance of the Spirit and values of the game of rugby and the importance of respect towards Match Officials. The Player was reminded of his right to appeal.”

Aki was handed a three-match suspension in 2017 for “behaviour to and remarks directed toward” referee Ian Davies during Connacht’s Pro12 defeat to Leinster, in a strikingly similar incident to the one that has now ended his hopes of featuring in Ireland’s opening fixtures.

The incident

During Connacht’s 34-23 defeat to Leinster at Dexcom Stadium, Aki came on as a replacement in both halves. At the end of an 11-minute spell as a temporary replacement for Cathal Forde in the first quarter, the centre was caught in the face by Leinster’s Charlie Tector and could be heard remonstrating with referee Eoghan Cross about the lack of a penalty.

The contact from Tector, while not an offensive hit, was arguably an incident that should have been raised by TMO Leo Colgan and resulted in a penalty and yellow card.

At one point during the match, Cross could be heard warning Connacht captain Cian Prendergast: “If I hear 22 or 23 speaking again, they’re going to be penalised.” The referee subsequently followed through on his warning, penalising Aki for repeatedly confronting him.

However, the misconduct charges specifically relate to Aki’s interactions with the match official team after the final whistle, rather than during the game itself.

Pattern of Irish player misconduct

Aki is the third high-profile Ireland international to have been cited in recent seasons for comments either to or about match officials, highlighting an ongoing concern that head coach Andy Farrell will need to address.

Just over a year ago, Aki’s Connacht team-mate Mack Hansen received a three-game suspension, reduced from six by attaching “a learning process,” for his criticism of the standard of officiating at a post-match press conference following a defeat to Leinster.

Former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton was also given a three-game suspension in 2023 for his conduct towards South African referee Jaco Peyper and his fellow officials in the aftermath of Leinster’s Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle.

Mounting selection crisis for Farrell

The ban is a significant blow to Andy Farrell as he prepares for his first Six Nations campaign since returning from his successful British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, where he guided the Lions to a 2-1 series victory.

Earlier on Wednesday, before the disciplinary outcome was known, the IRFU had already dropped Aki from the squad and confirmed he would not travel to their pre-tournament training camp in Portugal.

“The IRFU does not tolerate any form of disrespect shown towards match officials and does not condone actions that fall below the standards expected of players representing Irish rugby,” the IRFU statement read. “The IRFU are investigating the matter further internally and no additional comment will be made at this time.”
Ulster’s uncapped centre Jude Postlethwaite was called into the squad as Aki’s replacement.

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To compound matters, news emerged on the same day that full-back Hugo Keenan had fractured his thumb during training in Portugal. The 29-year-old Leinster player, who scored the series-clinching try for the Lions against Australia last summer, has not played since that tour due to hip surgery and was expected to return for the France opener. The average healing time for such an injury is four to six weeks, suggesting Keenan may struggle to take any part in the championship.

With Mack Hansen already ruled out for the tournament with a foot injury and Jamie Osborne not having played since the Japan match in November due to a shoulder problem, Ireland face a significant reshuffle in their back three.

Ireland have now lost five players from the original 37-man squad named by Farrell on 21 January: Jack Boyle (leg), Tom Ahern (neck), Bundee Aki (suspension), Hugo Keenan (thumb) and potentially Robert Baloucoune, who is being assessed after being withdrawn at half-time during Ulster’s defeat to the Scarlets.

A career at a crossroads?

The suspension raises questions about Aki’s international future. At 35, the New Zealand-born centre is in the twilight of his career and had been expected to make a final push to feature at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

A two-time British and Irish Lions tourist, Aki has been capped 68 times by Ireland since making his debut against South Africa in November 2017 and has won three Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams. He was an ever-present in Ireland’s 2018 Grand Slam success and played a key role in their historic first home victory over the All Blacks later that year.

He has remained fiercely loyal to Connacht since arriving from the Chiefs in 2014, having played a pivotal role in the province’s famous Pro12 triumph in 2016. Aki is renowned as one of the most popular figures among supporters, invariably the player who generates the most animated attention among younger fans and the one who stays on longest after training sessions or matches.

Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose are widely expected to be Ireland’s starting centre pairing against France, with Tom Farrell, Jude Postlethwaite, Jamie Osborne and Ciarán Frawley providing additional midfield cover.

Whether Aki can force his way back into Farrell’s plans for the final two matches against Wales and Scotland, after missing the first three rounds and with younger players given an opportunity to stake their claim, remains to be seen. The manner of this suspension, combined with his advancing years, means the centre faces an uphill battle to add to his international career.

Ireland’s 2026 Six Nations Fixtures

Thursday 5 February: France v Ireland, Stade de France (8.10pm Irish time)
Saturday 14 February: Ireland v Italy, Aviva Stadium (2.10pm)
Saturday 21 February: England v Ireland, Allianz Stadium (2.10pm)
Friday 6 March: Ireland v Wales, Aviva Stadium (8.10pm)
Saturday 14 March: Ireland v Scotland, Aviva Stadium (2.10pm)

Aki will be available for selection from Ireland’s fourth match against Wales on 6 March.

Ireland centre Bundee Aki has been dropped from the national squad for disciplinary reasons and will miss at least the Six Nations opener against France, with the Irish Rugby Football Union confirming he did not travel with the squad to their pre-tournament training camp in Portugal.

Key headlines

• Bundee Aki has been dropped from the Ireland squad and did not travel to Portugal for the pre-tournament training camp.
• The 68-cap centre faces an independent disciplinary hearing for alleged misconduct towards match officials.
• Ulster’s uncapped centre Jude Postlethwaite has been called up as Aki’s replacement.
• The IRFU has confirmed it is conducting a separate internal investigation into the matter.
• Aki is the third high-profile Ireland international cited in recent seasons for comments to or about match officials.

The 35-year-old, who has won 68 caps for Ireland and toured with the British and Irish Lions on two occasions, faces an independent disciplinary hearing today after a misconduct complaint was made against him following Connacht’s 34-23 United Rugby Championship defeat to Leinster at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway on Saturday.
Ulster’s uncapped centre Jude Postlethwaite has been called into the squad as Aki’s replacement.

IRFU makes statement

The IRFU issued a strongly-worded statement condemning any disrespect shown towards match officials.

“The IRFU can confirm that Bundee Aki has not travelled with the Men’s senior squad to Portugal for disciplinary reasons,” the statement read.
“The IRFU does not tolerate any form of disrespect shown towards match officials and does not condone actions that fall below the standards expected of players representing Irish rugby.

“The IRFU are investigating the matter further internally and no additional comment will be made at this time.”
The decision to drop Aki and issue such a forthright statement represents a significant intervention from Irish rugby’s governing body, underlining their determination to maintain standards of conduct towards officials.

URC disciplinary proceedings

The United Rugby Championship confirmed that Aki will appear before an independent disciplinary committee today in relation to a misconduct complaint made against him under URC disciplinary rules.

“After the Round 10 BKT United Rugby Championship fixture on Saturday, January 24 at Dexcom Stadium, Galway, the player is alleged to have engaged with the match official team on several occasions in a manner which may be deemed to be in breach of the league’s Disciplinary Rules related to Misconduct (including Clause 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3),” the URC statement said.

The independent disciplinary committee will be chaired by Roddy Dunlop KC of Scotland, with Attie Heyns of South Africa and Andrea Caranci of Italy completing the panel.

The incident

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While the full details of what Aki is alleged to have said remain unclear, the Connacht centre could be heard remonstrating with referee Eoghan Cross on multiple occasions during his side’s defeat to Leinster.

Aki came on as a replacement during the match and at the end of an 11-minute spell as a temporary replacement for Cathal Forde, he was involved in exchanges with the referee after being caught in the face by Leinster’s Charlie Tector.

At one point during the match, Cross could be heard warning Connacht captain Cian Prendergast: “If I hear 22 or 23 speaking again, they’re going to be penalised.” The referee subsequently followed through on his warning, penalising Aki for repeatedly confronting him.

Pattern of concerns

Aki is the third high-profile Ireland international to have been cited in recent seasons for comments either to or about match officials, highlighting an ongoing concern about player conduct that head coach Andy Farrell will need to address.

Just over a year ago, Aki’s Connacht team-mate Mack Hansen was banned for three games after making critical comments about the standard of officiating following a defeat to Leinster. Former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton also received a three-game suspension in 2023 for his conduct towards South African referee Jaco Peyper and his fellow officials in the aftermath of Leinster’s Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle.

The issue of player discipline was already on Ireland’s agenda heading into the Six Nations, with captain Caelan Doris acknowledging after November’s defeat to South Africa that the team needed to improve in that area. Ireland had James Ryan sent off for 20 minutes and four other players sin-binned during that match against the world champions.

Impact on Ireland’s Six Nations pans

The timing of the incident could hardly be worse for Farrell, with Ireland set to face defending champions France at the Stade de France on Thursday, 5 February. While Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey was already favourite to wear the number 12 shirt against the French, Aki had been expected to feature in the matchday 23, most likely from the bench.

The New Zealand-born centre, who qualified for Ireland through residency in 2017, has been a key figure in Farrell’s setup for several years. He started at inside centre against South Africa in November when McCloskey was injured and also started two of the Lions’ Tests against the Wallabies under Farrell last summer in Australia.

Any ban arising from the disciplinary hearing could sideline Aki for some or all of the Six Nations, depending on its severity. Previous misconduct cases involving Irish players have typically resulted in three-match suspensions.

Postlethwaite gets his chance

The 23-year-old Postlethwaite now has an unexpected opportunity to stake his claim for a place in Farrell’s plans. The Belfast-born centre, who stands at 1.93m (6ft 4in) and weighs 106kg, has been one of the most impressive Irish players at provincial level this season, performing strongly at both inside and outside centre for Ulster.

A product of RBAI (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), Postlethwaite joined Ulster’s academy after school and signed a development contract in February 2022, which was upgraded to a full senior deal a year later. He made his Ulster debut against Cardiff in March 2023 and has since established himself as a regular in Richie Murphy’s side.

Postlethwaite featured three times for Ireland Under-20s in their 2022 Six Nations Grand Slam success and has also represented the Ireland national rugby sevens team in the World Rugby Sevens Series.

Ireland’s remaining centre options in Portugal now include McCloskey, Garry Ringrose, Tom Farrell and Postlethwaite, while Jamie Osborne and Ciarán Frawley can also cover in midfield if required.

Further squad disruption

The Aki situation adds to what has been a turbulent build-up to the Six Nations for Ireland. Last week, the squad lost prop Jack Boyle to a serious leg injury during Leinster’s victory over Connacht, the same match that has now resulted in Aki’s disciplinary issues.

With Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy already sidelined, Boyle’s injury left Ireland without their first three loosehead prop options. Twenty-year-old Connacht academy prop Billy Bohan, who had been playing amateur club rugby as recently as November, was called up as a replacement.

Additionally, Munster second row Tom Ahern was replaced by Ulster’s Cormac Izuchukwu due to a neck injury, while winger Robert Baloucoune continues to be assessed after being withdrawn at half-time during Ulster’s defeat to the Scarlets.

Ireland now have four uncapped players in their Six Nations squad: Bohan, Edwin Edogbo, Nathan Doak and Postlethwaite.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has been forced to call up uncapped Connacht academy prop Billy Bohan to his Six Nations squad after Jack Boyle’s injury compounded an already acute crisis at loosehead prop, leaving the two-time defending champions without their first three choices in the position for the championship opener against France.

Key headlines

• Billy Bohan becomes the third uncapped player in the Ireland squad alongside Edwin Edogbo and Nathan Doak.
• Jack Boyle suffered a leg injury during Leinster’s victory over Connacht and has been ruled out indefinitely.
• Ireland are now without their first three loosehead options, with Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy already sidelined.
• Munster’s Tom Ahern has been replaced by Ulster’s Cormac Izuchukwu due to a neck injury.
• Robert Baloucoune continues to be assessed after being withdrawn at half-time during Ulster’s defeat to the Scarlets.

The 20-year-old, who only made his senior provincial debut in December, will travel with the squad to their pre-tournament training camp in Portugal after Boyle was stretchered off during Leinster’s 34-23 United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway on Saturday evening. Leinster head coach Leo Cullen confirmed after the match that the injury did not look good and that Boyle would likely be out for a considerable period.

The timing could hardly be worse for Farrell, with his side facing defending champions France at the Stade de France on Thursday, 5 February. Boyle had been expected to start that fixture, having waited patiently for his opportunity after remaining unused through all four November internationals.

From club rugby to international stage in weeks

Bohan’s meteoric rise represents one of the most remarkable stories in recent Irish rugby history. As recently as November, the Kildare native was lining out for Corinthians in Division 2A of the All-Ireland League, the amateur club competition that sits beneath Ireland’s four professional provincial teams. He made his Connacht debut as a replacement in their 52-0 Challenge Cup victory over Georgian side Black Lion in early December and has since started three matches, including impressive performances away to French Top 14 side Montpellier and at home against Montauban and Leinster.

In Saturday’s interprovincial derby, before Boyle’s injury saw both starting looseheads depart the contest, Bohan had helped win three scrum penalties in a strong 50-minute showing that vindicated Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster’s faith in selecting such an inexperienced player for the province’s biggest fixture of the season.

A storied rugby lineage

Bohan is the grandson of Mick Doyle, one of the most celebrated figures in Irish rugby history. Doyle coached Ireland to Triple Crown and Five Nations Championship glory in 1985 with his famous “give it a lash” philosophy, ending a 33-year wait for the Triple Crown. As a player, he won 20 consecutive caps as a flanker for Ireland between 1965 and 1968 and toured South Africa with the British and Irish Lions in 1968.

Bohan was part of the Ireland Under-20s squad for last summer’s World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy and featured eight times for the age-grade side during the previous season’s Under-20 Six Nations and World Championship campaigns.

Remaining loosehead options

With Bohan’s promotion to the senior squad, Farrell’s options at loosehead now consist of Munster pair Jeremy Loughman and Michael Milne, neither of whom has extensive Test experience. Loughman, who plays his club rugby with the southern province, has five caps to his name, with his last appearance coming against Italy in the 2024 Six Nations, while Milne won his first two caps on last summer’s tour to Georgia and Portugal.

The head coach indicated that Andrew Porter could yet be involved later in the competition, offering some hope that Ireland’s first-choice loosehead may return. However, with Paddy McCarthy having undergone an operation on a foot injury last week, the prospect of him featuring in the championship appears remote.

Farrell may also consider playing Ulster’s Tom O’Toole or Connacht’s Finlay Bealham on the loosehead side of the scrum, though both are more naturally suited to tighthead.

Further squad changes

Munster second row Tom Ahern has also been ruled out of the squad after failing to overcome a neck injury. Ulster’s Cormac Izuchukwu, who won his first three Ireland caps last season against Fiji, Georgia and Portugal, has been called up as a like-for-like replacement. Ireland’s players are drawn from the country’s four professional provinces – Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht – who compete in the United Rugby Championship alongside teams from Wales, Scotland, Italy and South Africa.

Additionally, Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune will remain with the squad as he continues to be assessed following an injury sustained during his province’s defeat to Welsh side Scarlets on Saturday. The winger was withdrawn at half-time, raising concerns about his fitness ahead of the championship. Baloucoune had only recently earned a recall to the international setup after a debilitating run of injuries that had kept him out of the Test arena since November 2022.
Fitness Updates

On a more positive note, Farrell confirmed that Hugo Keenan, Jamie Osborne, Finlay Bealham and Tadhg Furlong are all likely to be fit and available for the trip to Paris, though he cautioned that Furlong still has a few things to get through before his fitness can be confirmed.

Munster lock Edwin Edogbo has also joined up with the squad for his first international camp. The 23-year-old had been earmarked to feature in the November series but was ruled out due to a head injury. Although he was omitted from Munster’s recent victory over Dragons with a concussion issue, he has been cleared to link up with the national team. Farrell noted that Edogbo has certainly made an impact and that it is now up to everyone to help him settle in as quickly as possible, given that he has two days less preparation than others due to the concussion protocols.

The challenge ahead

Ireland travel to Portugal this week before heading to Paris for the historic Thursday night opener. The unusual scheduling, designed to avoid a clash with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Milan the following day, adds another layer of novelty to what promises to be a stern examination of Ireland’s credentials.

Two years ago, Ireland beat France in the opening weekend fixture in Marseille en route to a second successive Six Nations title. However, last year’s championship saw France claim the trophy after defeating Ireland 42-27 in Dublin, ending the hosts’ hopes of becoming the first side in Six Nations history to win three consecutive outright titles. Replicating that 2024 result this time around, with a reshuffled front row and several players still working their way back to full fitness, represents a significant challenge.

Farrell, returning to the helm after leading the British and Irish Lions to a 2-1 series victory over Australia last summer, faces an immediate test of his squad’s depth and resilience. The emergence of players like Bohan, thrust into the spotlight far earlier than anyone could have anticipated, may yet prove to be a defining narrative of Ireland’s championship campaign.