Bundee Aki has been suspended for Ireland’s first three Six Nations matches following an independent disciplinary hearing, the United Rugby Championship (URC) announced on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The ban stems from “verbal abuse and disrespect” directed towards match officials after Connacht’s URC loss to Leinster last weekend.
The 35-year-old centre received a six-week ban, with two weeks suspended, after the hearing determined he “engaged with the match official team after the game on several occasions.” Aki will miss Connacht’s upcoming URC fixture against Zebre, as well as Ireland’s Six Nations matches against France, Italy, and England. The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) confirmed Aki had not joined the national team’s pre-tournament training camp in Portugal and has launched an internal investigation into the matter.
Ulster’s Jude Postlethwaite has been called up to the Irish squad as a replacement for Aki, according to the IRFU. The URC statement acknowledged Aki’s “full regret for his actions and was grateful for the approach he took towards the proceedings,” but noted that his prior disciplinary record, including similar incidents, and lack of a plea prevented any mitigation of the sanction.
Ireland’s Six Nations campaign begins with a challenging match against France in Paris on February 5, followed by a home game against Italy on February 14, and a trip to Twickenham to face England on February 21. They will then host Wales and Scotland on March 6 and 14, respectively. The suspension represents a significant setback for head coach Andy Farrell ahead of the tournament.
Despite the suspension, Ireland assistant coach Andrew Goodman has indicated that Aki remains a valued member of the team and could still contribute to the Six Nations campaign later in the tournament. The incident occurred following Connacht’s defeat to Leinster on Saturday, prompting a misconduct complaint and the subsequent investigation by the URC. The IRFU has stated it has “no tolerance for any form of disrespect shown towards match officials” and does not condone behavior that falls short of the standards expected of players representing Irish rugby.
Aki, a two-time British and Irish Lions tourist, has earned 68 caps for Ireland and has been instrumental in the team’s success, including winning three Six Nations titles, including Grand Slams in 2018 and 2023. The disciplinary action comes as Ireland prepares to defend its title and navigate a competitive Six Nations landscape.
