A statement from the Irish Rugby Union confirmed he has been left out for “disciplinary reasons”
Bundee Aki(Image: Getty Images)
Ireland star Bundee Aki has been dropped from Andy Farrell’s Six Nations squad and could miss the tournament after allegedly confronting match officials.
In a statement, the United Rugby Championship said the the 35-old Connacht centre is alleged to have repeatedly engaged with officials in a manner “which may be deemed to be in breach of the league’s Disciplinary Rules” during his side’s defeat to Leinster on Saturday. He now faces a potential ban which could rule him out of the Six Nations.
Aki, who has 68 caps for Ireland and toured with the British & Irish Lions for a second time last summer, will face an independent disciplinary committee on Wednesday, having not travelled with the rest of Farrell’s squad to their Six Nations training camp in Portugal on Tuesday.
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Any suspension will rule him out of either some or all of the tournament, which Ireland will kick off next Thursday away to defending champions France.
Uncapped Ulster centre Jude Postlethwaite has been added to the squad in Aki’s place, with the Irish Rugby Union confirming in a statement that the veteran international had not travelled to Portugal.
“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.”
A statement from the URC, meanwhile, read: “Connacht Rugby’s Bundee Aki will appear in front of an Independent Disciplinary Committee in relation to a Misconduct Complaint made against him under the 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).
“An Independent Disciplinary Committee will meet today (Wednesday, January 28) to consider the Complaint in accordance with the URC Disciplinary Rules.
“Roddy Dunlop KC (Scotland) will serve as Chair, with Attie Heyns (South Africa) and Andrea Caranci (Italy) completing the committee.”
Aki started one match for Ireland during the recent autumn internationals, but appeared twice off the bench. Stuart McCloskey has now emerged as the favourite to start at inside centre, with other options including Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne and Ciaran Frawley.
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