Bundee Aki has not travelled with the Ireland squad for their Six Nations training camp in Portugal, with the Connacht centre the subject of a misconduct complaint after his side’s defeat by Leinster on Saturday.
The 35-year-old, a World Rugby player of the year nominee in 2023, 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” during the United Rugby Championship (URC) loss.
He will face an independent disciplinary committee on Wednesday.
Andy Farrell’s side take on France in Paris on 5 February to begin the Six Nations and Aki has been replaced in the squad by Ulster’s uncapped centre Jude Postlethwaite.
An Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) statement said: “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.”
Ireland have already lost two players from the 37-man squad named by Farrell last week.
Prop Jack Boyle was injured playing for Leinster against Connacht, while Munster flanker Tom Ahern has also pulled out.
They were replaced in the squad by Connacht’s uncapped loose-head Billy Bohan and Ulster forward Cormac Izuchukwu respectively.
