Ireland centre Bundee Aki will miss the first three matches of the Six Nations after receiving a four‑game ban for "verbal abuse and disrespect" directed towards match officials during Connacht's United Rugby Championship defeat to Leinster.
Aki was initially handed a six‑game suspension, with two matches suspended, after an independent URC disciplinary committee ruled that he had "breached disciplinary rules" in his interactions with the officiating team during Saturday's 23-34 loss at Dexcom Stadium.
"The committee concluded that his behaviour constituted verbal abuse and disrespect of a match official(s) under the relevant rules," a URC statement said.
"The committee also recognised Aki's full regret for his actions and was grateful for the approach he took towards the proceedings.
"However, given his previous disciplinary record (including incidents of a similar nature) and his lack of a plea in this case, the committee could not apply mitigation to the sanction."
The ban means Connacht will be without Aki for Saturday's URC clash away to Zebre. The 35‑year‑old is also set to miss Ireland's Six Nations opener in France on February 5, Italy's visit to Dublin on February 14, and Ireland's trip to England on February 21.
The Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed that Aki had not travelled to Ireland's pre‑Six Nations training camp in Portugal on Wednesday, adding that it would investigate the matter internally. Ulster back Jude Postlethwaite has been drafted into the squad as his replacement.
Aki's suspension means returning Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will begin his attempt to reclaim the Six Nations title surrendered to France last year without one of the key figures in his side's recent success.
A two‑time British and Irish Lions tourist, Aki has been capped 68 times by Ireland since 2017 and has won three Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams.
It added to a mounting selection crisis for Farrell after Lions full‑back Hugo Keenan left the Portugal camp on Wednesday after fracturing his thumb, while forwards Jack Boyle and Tom Ahern have also withdrawn from the squad.
