This is what you call banging your fist on the table. Ireland have not hesitated to leave out one of their best players for the Six Nations. Ireland have indeed decided not to select the powerful Bundee Aki.

Aki (68 caps) is reported to have strongly criticised the match officials during his Connacht side’s narrow defeat to Leinster last weekend (23-24).

A string of absentees

“The IRFU does not tolerate any form of disrespect towards match officials and condemns any action that falls short of the standards expected of players representing Irish rugby. The IRFU has opened an internal investigation“, the Irish federation replied.

On top of Aki, Andy Farrell will be without centre Robbie Henshaw, full-back Hugo Keenan and props Bealham, Furlong, Porter and Boyle. Carnage.