Bundee Aki may be out of the Six Nations squad for Ireland as the Connacht player faces a disciplinary hearing today.
The hearing is about a misconduct complaint surrounding engagements Aki is alleged to have had with match officials in Galway last Saturday after the Leinster match.
The IRFU confirmed that Aki has not travelled to Portugal with the Six Nations Squad, and has been replaced with Jude Postlethwaite of Ulster.
“The IRFU can confirm that Bundee Aki has not travelled with the Men’s senior squad to Portugal for disciplinary reasons.
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.
Aki has been replaced in the squad by Ulster’s uncapped centre Jude Postlethwaite.”
A statement from the URC said that a disciplinary committee will meet on Wednesday to consider the complaint.
“Connacht Rugby’s Bundee Aki will appear in front of an Independent Disciplinary Committee in relation to a Misconduct Complaint made against him under the URC Disciplinary Rules.
After the Round 10 BKT United Rugby Championship fixture on Saturday, January 24 at Dexcom Stadium, Galway, the Player is alleged to have engaged with the match official team on several occasions in a manner which may be deemed to be in breach of the league’s Disciplinary Rules related to Misconduct (including Clause 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3).
An Independent Disciplinary Committee will meet today (Wednesday, January 28) to consider the Complaint in accordance with the URC Disciplinary Rules. Roddy Dunlop KC (Scotland) will serve as Chair, with Attie Heyns (South Africa) and Andrea Caranci (Italy) completing the committee.”
