Ban for 'verbal abuse' cuts through Bundee Aki's Six Nations campaign

Ireland will be without centre Bundee Aki for the opening three rounds of the Guinness Six Nations after he was handed a four-match ban for “verbal abuse and disrespect of a match official.”

The 35-year-old was released from the Ireland squad on Wednesday, who had travelled to Portugal the day before, as he stood before an independent disciplinary committee in relation to an altercation with a match official after Connacht’s loss to Leinster at the weekend.

The British & Irish Lion was handed a six-week suspension, two of which were suspended, with the committee unable to apply mitigation due to Aki’s disciplinary record and lack of a plea, although they “recognised the player’s full regret for his actions”.

Aki will now miss Connacht’s United Rugby Championship against Zebre on Saturday, as well as the opening three rounds of the Six Nations, where Andy Farrell’s side take on France in Paris, Italy in Dublin and England in London.

Going by the World Rugby rankings, Ireland will be without their 68-cap centre for their two hardest matches of the Championship, although he has a right to appeal.

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The incident that has resulted in the Connacht star’s ban came after a match where he was penalised by referee Eoghan Cross for repeatedly shouting at him in his cameo from the bench.

This is not unfamiliar territory for Ireland, however, as former captain Johnny Sexton was also banned before the 2023 World Cup for an exchange with referee Jaco Peyper following Leinster’s Investec Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle. On that occasion, however, the injured Sexton had not played in the match.

Ulster’s uncapped centre Jude Postlethwaite replaced Aki in an Ireland squad that has already been hit by a number of injuries heading into the Six Nations.

The URC statement concluded by reminding Aki “of the importance of the spirit and values of the game of rugby and the importance of respect towards match officials.”