Bundee Aki left out of Ireland squad for Portugal tour over disciplinary breach

The veteran midfielder was a 10th-minute introduction off the Connacht bench in last Saturday's United Rugby Championship loss to Leinster in Galway.

However, his behaviour towards the team of officials led by referee Eoghan Cross in the 34-23 defeat has resulted in him getting sensationally dropped from the Ireland squad that jetted to Portugal to begin preparations for the February 5 Six Nations opener away to France.

The 35-year-old Aki won his 68th cap in Ireland's last outing, the November loss in Dublin to South Africa. However, instead of being in Quinta do Lago with Farrell and his squad training for the Six Nations Round One fixture in Paris, the centre was left behind and replaced in the squad by Jude Postlethwaite, the uncapped player from Ulster.

While Aki started for Ireland at inside centre against the Boks, that was the only occasion in November he wore the No.12 as Stuart McCloskey was chosen against New Zealand and Australia with Robbie Henshaw picked to start in that position versus Japan.

A statement issued by the IRFU on Wednesday read: "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."

The URC has also confirmed that Aki will appear in front of an independent disciplinary panel on Wednesday in relation to the misconduct complaint made against him.

"After the Round 10 BKT United Rugby Championship fixture on Saturday, January 24, at Dexcom Stadium in 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," the statement read.

Planet Rugby praised referee Cross for his staying composed in his handling of last Saturday's URC derby and ex-Test referee Owen Doyle also praised the up-and-coming official. "Derby matches are far from easy to referee, and yet they are essential experiences for any official who is targeting a long stay at the top level," wrote Doyle in his Irish Times column.

"Limerick's Eoghan Cross is one such person and he came out of a tough enough evening pretty well. We have all heard of the swan paddling furiously beneath the water, but remaining composed above the surface. The main challenge for Cross was to allow the pot to simmer away, but also keep it from boiling over. He successfully did so - a positive, important tick in the referee's credit box.

"Of course, Stuart Lancaster will have some issues, particularly a few scrum calls. Cross, however, could very usefully review his verbals. Too much explaining can come across as justifying decisions; it also invites unwanted on-field debate. Precise and concise works better, as does a refusal to be drawn into prolonged chats."

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