Irish center Bundy Aki will miss the first three matches of the Six Nations after being banned for four games for “verbally abusing and disrespecting” match officials during Connacht’s United Rugby Championship defeat by Leinster.
Aki was initially handed a six-game suspension, with two matches suspended, after the URC’s independent disciplinary panel ruled he “breached disciplinary rules” in his interaction with the officiating team during Saturday’s 23-34 defeat at the Dekcom Stadium.
“The committee concluded that his behavior constituted verbal abuse and disrespect of the match official(s) under the relevant rules,” the URC said in a statement.
“The committee also recognized Aki’s full remorse for his actions and was grateful for the approach he took to the proceedings.”
“However, given his previous disciplinary record (including incidents of a similar nature) and the lack of a guilty plea in this case, the commission could not apply a reduced sentence.”
The ban means Connacht will be without Aki for Saturday’s URC clash against Zebre. The 35-year-old will also miss Ireland’s Six Nations opener in France on February 5, Italy’s visit to Dublin on February 14 and Ireland’s trip to England on February 21.
The Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed that Aki did not travel to Ireland’s training camp ahead of the Six Nations in Portugal on Wednesday, adding that they would investigate the matter internally. Ulster full-back Jude Postlethwaite has been called into the squad as his replacement.
Aki’s suspension means returning Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will begin his bid to reclaim the Six Nations title handed to France last year without one of the key figures in his side’s recent success.
A two-time British and Irish Lions international, Aki has played 68 times for Ireland since 2017 and has won three Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams.
It added to Farrell’s growing selection crisis after Lions full-back Hugo Keenan left the Portugal camp on Wednesday after breaking his thumb, while forwards Jack Boyle and Tom Ahern also withdrew from the squad.
Irish Six Nations fixtures
- France – Stade de France – Thursday 5 February – 20.10 (GMT)
- Italy – Aviva Stadium – Saturday 14 February – 14.10 (GMT)
- England – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham – Saturday 21 February – 2.10pm (GMT)
- Wales – Aviva Stadium – Friday 6 March – 20.10 (GMT)
- Scotland – Aviva Stadium – Saturday 14 March – 14.10 (GMT)