Ireland\u2019s Six Nations preparations have been rocked by the revelation that Bundee Aki didn\u2019t fly to Portugal with the squad on Tuesday due to disciplinary reasons.<\/p>\n
The veteran midfielder was a 10th-minute introduction off the Connacht bench in last Saturday\u2019s United Rugby Championship<\/a> loss to Leinster in Galway.<\/p>\n However, his behaviour towards the team of officials led by referee Eoghan Cross in the 34-23 defeat has resulted in him getting sensationally dropped from the Ireland<\/a> squad that jetted to Portugal to begin preparations for the February 5 Six Nations opener away to France.<\/p>\n The 35-year-old Aki won his 68th cap in Ireland\u2019s last outing, the November loss in Dublin to South Africa. However, instead of being in Quinta do Lago with Farrell and his squad training for the Six Nations Round One fixture in Paris, the centre was left behind and replaced in the squad by Jude Postlethwaite, the uncapped player from Ulster.<\/p>\n \u201cDisrespect shown towards match officials\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n While Aki started for Ireland at inside centre against the Boks, that was the only occasion in November he wore the No.12 as Stuart McCloskey was chosen against New Zealand and Australia with Robbie Henshaw picked to start in that position versus Japan.<\/p>\n A statement issued by the IRFU on Wednesday read: \u201cThe IRFU can confirm that Bundee Aki has not travelled with the men\u2019s senior squad to Portugal for disciplinary reasons. 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe IRFU are investigating the matter further internally and no additional comment will be made at this time. Aki has been replaced in the squad by Ulster\u2019s uncapped centre Jude Postlethwaite.\u201d<\/p>\n The URC has also confirmed that Aki will appear in front of an independent disciplinary panel on Wednesday in relation to the misconduct complaint made against him.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter the Round 10 BKT United Rugby Championship fixture on Saturday, January 24, at Dexcom Stadium in 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\u2019s disciplinary rules related to misconduct,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n Ireland\u2019s 2026 Six Nations: Squad, fixtures, referees, TV channels, kick-off times and more\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Planet Rugby praised referee Cross for his staying composed<\/a> in his handling of last Saturday\u2019s URC derby and ex-Test referee Owen Doyle also praised the up-and-coming official. \u201cDerby matches are far from easy to referee, and yet they are essential experiences for any official who is targeting a long stay at the top level,\u201d wrote Doyle in his Irish Times column<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cLimerick\u2019s Eoghan Cross is one such person and he came out of a tough enough evening pretty well. We have all heard of the swan paddling furiously beneath the water, but remaining composed above the surface. The main challenge for Cross was to allow the pot to simmer away, but also keep it from boiling over. He successfully did so \u2013 a positive, important tick in the referee\u2019s credit box.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Stuart Lancaster will have some issues, particularly a few scrum calls. Cross, however, could very usefully review his verbals. Too much explaining can come across as justifying decisions; it also invites unwanted on-field debate. Precise and concise works better, as does a refusal to be drawn into prolonged chats.\u201d<\/p>\n