Bundee Aki dropped from Ireland's Six Nations squad over misconduct complaint

Ellen O'Donoghue

Bundee Aki is to miss Ireland's Six Nations opener away to France next week.

The Connacht centre is set to face a disciplinary committee in relation to a misconduct complaint.

Aki is alleged to have engaged with the match officials on several occasions at the end of Connacht's loss to Leinster in the URC last weekend.

As a result, the 35-year-old was left out of Ireland's training camp in Portugal this week.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has said in a statement that it 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."

Aki has been replaced in the squad by Ulster's uncapped centre Jude Postlethwaite.

With Leinster’s Robbie Henshaw ruled out of the opening match against France in Paris on Thursday week, Postlethwaite has been promoted from the Ireland XV squad due to face England A at Thomond Park the following day and joins fellow Ulsterman Stuart McCloskey, Leinster trio Garry Ringrose, Jamie Osborne and Tommy O’Brien as well as Munster’s Tom Farrell as potential starters at Stade de France.

Aki started Ireland’s final game of 2025, November’s home defeat to South Africa, but with McCloskey having occupied the inside centre role against New Zealand and Australia, he will be favourite to start against the defending champions.