Ireland axe Aki for ref comments

Ireland could be without veteran centre Bundee Aki for their daunting Six Nations opening match against title holders France in Paris next Thursday.

The 35-year-old was dropped from the squad going to a training camp in Portugal and set is to face a disciplinary committee on Wednesday for comments he made to the referee during Connacht’s 34-23 defeat by Leinster last Saturday.

The 68-times capped New Zealand-born star has been replaced by Ulster’s uncapped Jude Postlethwaite for the camp as head coach Andy Farrell puts the squad through their paces ahead of the match at the Stade de France on 5 February.

“The IRFU can confirm that Bundee Aki has not travelled with the men’s senior squad to Portugal for disciplinary reasons,” read an Irish Rugby statement.

“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 moment Bundee Aki pushed the ref too far and got himself in trouble / lost his Irish place! – 🔈 on – #URCGO pic.twitter.com/XKX1Rl5Xu7

— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) January 28, 2026

Judged on two recent previous cases, if found guilty Aki could well face at least a three-match ban.

His Connacht and Ireland teammate Mack Hansen received a three-game suspension last year for remarks about the match officials after a loss to Leinster.

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Irish icon Johnny Sexton also received a three-game ban for haranguing South African referee Jaco Peyper after Leinster’s defeat by La Rochelle in the 2023 Investec Champions Cup final – a match he had not played in because he was injured.

– AFP

Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images