The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has announced that Bundee Aki has been removed from Ireland’s Six Nations squad amid a misconduct complaint. Aki’s spot in the training squad has now been filled by Jude Postlethwaite, a centre from Ulster who has yet to make his senior debut.
Details of the Misconduct Complaint
The complaint against Aki arises from an incident during Connacht’s recent match against Leinster on Saturday, January 24. Following Connacht’s 34-23 defeat at the Dexcom Stadium, Aki allegedly engaged with match officials in a manner deemed inappropriate. This incident is under investigation, with Aki facing significant scrutiny ahead of a disciplinary hearing.
IRFU’s Stance on the Issue
The IRFU has made it clear that they will not tolerate any disrespect towards match officials. “The IRFU does not condone actions that fall below the standards expected of players representing Irish rugby,” stated an official release. The union is conducting an internal investigation and will refrain from making further comments until the hearing concludes.
Independent Disciplinary Committee Meeting
An Independent Disciplinary Committee is slated to evaluate the complaint on Wednesday, January 28. The committee will adhere to the league’s disciplinary rules concerning misconduct. The chair of the committee will be Roddy Dunlop KC from Scotland, supported by Andrea Caranci from Italy and Attie Heyns from South Africa.
Incident Context and Aftermath
- Match: Connacht vs. Leinster
- Date: Saturday, January 24
- Location: Dexcom Stadium, Galway
- Final Score: Connacht 34 – 23 Leinster
- Reference to Breach: Allegations pertain to misconduct clauses 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 of league rules.
Aki, who was a temporary replacement during the game, was noted for his confrontational exchanges with referee Eoghan Cross. This incident has raised questions about player conduct, particularly with the Six Nations tournament approaching.
As this situation develops, the rugby community is watching closely how the IRFU and the Independent Disciplinary Committee will resolve the complaint against Bundee Aki.
