Six Nations: Ireland replace center Bondi Ake for “disciplinary reasons”

Bondi Ake did not travel with the Ireland squad for their Six Nations training camp in Portugal, with the Connacht center hit with a misconduct complaint following his side’s defeat to Leinster on Saturday.

The 35-year-old, nominated for the 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year award, “allegedly engaged with the match official squad on several occasions in a manner that could be considered to be in breach of the league’s disciplinary rules” during the United Rugby Championship (URC) loss.

He will face an independent disciplinary committee on Wednesday.

Andy Farrell’s side will face France in Paris on February 5 to start the Six Nations and Ake has been replaced in the squad by uncapped Ulster center Jude Postlethwaite.

A statement from the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said: “The IRFU does not tolerate any form of disrespect towards match officials and does not condone actions that fall below the standards expected of players who represent Irish rugby.”

“The IRFU is investigating the matter internally and no further comment will be made at this time.”

Ireland have already lost two players from the 37-man squad named by Farrell last week.

Prop Jack Boyle was injured while playing for Leinster against Connacht, while Tom Ahern has also withdrawn from the Munster squad.

They were replaced in the team by Connacht looseheader Billy Bohan and Ulster forward Cormac Isochukwu respectively.