Bundee Aki is back in the Ireland matchday squad after his recent suspension, with the centre named among the replacements for their final Six Nations clash with Scotland.
The powerful midfielder has been selected on the bench after serving a four-match ban for “verbal abuse and disrespect” towards match officials during a club match earlier this year.
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Aki missed the opening four matches of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign following the incident while playing for Connacht in the URC defeat to Leinster.
The 35-year-old had originally been handed a six-week suspension, though two of those weeks were suspended following a disciplinary hearing.
An independent committee found that Aki had engaged with match officials “on several occasions” after the game in a manner that constituted verbal abuse and disrespect.
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Despite becoming available again during the championship, Aki was not selected when Ireland hosted Wales last weekend.
Head coach Andy Farrell explained that decision at the time by pointing to strong competition in midfield.
“He’s been training with us for three days and it’s good to see him,” Farrell said last week.
“He’s fit and able, but there’s other lads who are playing well and we decided to keep rolling on in that position.”
Now, however, Aki returns to the matchday 23 for Ireland’s final championship fixture against Scotland, providing experience and power off the bench.
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Speaking ahead of the game against Scotland, Farrell said: “When it comes to big games, there’s a twinkle in some people’s eyes where you just know who’s going to turn up.
“He’s been there and done that in terms of big weeks and preparation and all that.
“He’s been pretty good for us with energy off the bench and I’m sure he’ll bring more of that on Saturday.”
Following the incident, the Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed that Aki had initially been left out of the squad’s pre-tournament training camp in Portugal for disciplinary reasons.
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“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 union said in a statement at the time.
Ireland team to face Scotland: Jamie Osborne, Rob Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Tommy O’Brien, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O’Toole, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (captain).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, Darragh Murray, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki.
