Ireland have moved quickly to address Bundee Aki\u2019s future after the centre was dropped from the squad last week following a disciplinary issue.<\/p>\n
Watch the Guinness Six Nations at your local\u00a0Greene King sports pub<\/a>.<\/p>\n The decision means Aki will miss the opening three rounds of the Six Nations, but despite the setback, Ireland have made it clear they are standing by him.<\/p>\n Speaking after the ban, Ireland attack coach Andrew Goodman described Aki as a \u201cgreat character\u201d, admitting he has made a mistake but insisting the coaching staff will support him as he works through it.<\/p>\n Aki has represented Ireland 68 times since making his debut in 2017 and has never hidden his pride in pulling on the green jersey. That was underlined again last year when he became an Irish citizen, calling the moment a huge privilege.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been 10 years since I\u2019ve been here so I thoroughly enjoy the Irish people and Irish culture,\u201d he said at the ceremony.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be able to get my citizenship today is an unbelievable privilege, so I\u2019m delighted.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve embraced the people and the people have embraced me and my family as well.<\/p>\n \u201cI have nothing to complain about here. I love the people, love the culture. There\u2019s not a bad word I could speak about Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n Editors Picks:<\/p>\n Who has the most foreign-born players? 2026 Six Nations<\/p>\n So,\u00a0which nation has the most foreign-born players in 2026?<\/p>\n Scotland \u2014 14 foreign-born players (35%)<\/p>\n Homegrown: 26\/40 (65%)<\/p>\n Foreign-born: 14\/40 (35%)<\/p>\n Scotland once again lead the Six Nations for overseas-born representation.<\/p>\n Full list (Scotland)<\/p>\n Nathan McBeth \u2014 South Africa (Grandparent)<\/p>\n Pierre Schoeman \u2014 South Africa (Residency, 2021)<\/p>\n Ewan Ashman \u2014 Canada (Parent)<\/p>\n Elliot Millar Mills \u2014 England (Parent)<\/p>\n Josh Bayliss \u2014 England (Grandparent)<\/p>\n Jack Dempsey \u2014 Australia (Grandparent)<\/p>\n Ben White \u2014 England (Grandparent)<\/p>\n Fergus Burke \u2014 New Zealand (Grandparent)<\/p>\n Tom Jordan \u2014 New Zealand (Residency, 2024)<\/p>\n Rory Hutchinson \u2014 England (Grandparent)<\/p>\n Sione Tuipulotu \u2014 Australia (Grandparent)<\/p>\n Kyle Rowe \u2014 England (Cumulative Residency)<\/p>\n Kyle Steyn \u2014 South Africa (Parent)<\/p>\n Duhan van der Merwe \u2014 South Africa (Residency, 2020)<\/p>\n Wales \u2014 9 foreign-born players (23.6%)<\/p>\n Homegrown: 29\/38 (76.3%)<\/p>\n Foreign-born: 9\/38 (23.6%)<\/p>\n Wales sit mid-table, with most foreign-born players coming through English development pathways or overseas heritage.<\/p>\n Full list (Wales)<\/p>\n Tomas Francis \u2014 England (Grandparent)<\/p>\n Archie Griffin \u2014 Australia (Parent)<\/p>\n Ben Carter \u2014 England (Residency, 2004)<\/p>\n Freddie Thomas \u2014 England (Grandparent)<\/p>\n Olly Cracknell \u2014 England (Grandparent)<\/p>\n Josh MacLeod \u2014 Monaco (Residency, 2004)<\/p>\n Gabriel Hamer-Webb \u2014 England (Parent)<\/p>\n Ellis Mee \u2014 England (Parent)<\/p>\n Blair Murray \u2014 New Zealand (Parent)<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE\u00a0TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n