Ireland will kick off the Six Nations next week without two of their most influential and experienced backline players. Bundee Aki and Hugo Keenan, key members of the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia last year, should have been involved against France next Thursday, but they are facing spells on the sidelines for contrasting reasons.
Aki has has been suspended for six matches after being found guilty of “verbally abusing and disrespecting” match officials last Saturday night after Connacht’s URC game against Leinster, with the last two games suspended. As a result he will miss Ireland’s first three Six Nations games against France, Italy and England and his actions have drawn criticism from the Irish Rugby Football Union. “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,” read a statement.
