Ireland have wasted little time in moving to address Bundee Aki’s future after the centre was dropped from the squad last week following a disciplinary issue.
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The decision means Aki will miss the opening three rounds of the Six Nations Championship, but despite the setback, Ireland have made it clear they are standing by the experienced midfielder.
Speaking after the ban, Ireland attack coach Andrew Goodman described Aki as a “great character”, admitting the centre has made a mistake but insisting the coaching staff will support him as he works through it.
Aki has represented Ireland 68 times since making his debut in 2017 and has never hidden his pride in pulling on the green jersey, committing his long-term future to Ireland.
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Away from rugby, the New Zealander has firmly established his life in the west of the country. When he isn’t focused on training, Aki lives in a cosy and stylish Galway home with his wife Kayla and their three children.
The couple have two daughters, Armani-Jade and Adrianna, and a son named Andronikas, who they welcomed in January 2021.
There had been rumours he could return to New Zealand, but his commitment to Ireland was underlined again last year when he became an Irish citizen, calling the moment a huge privilege.
“It’s been 10 years since I’ve been here so I thoroughly enjoy the Irish people and Irish culture,” he said at the ceremony.
“To be able to get my citizenship today is an unbelievable privilege, so I’m delighted.
“I’ve embraced the people and the people have embraced me and my family as well.
“I have nothing to complain about here. I love the people, love the culture. There’s not a bad word I could speak about Ireland. It is my home”
While Aki will be sidelined for the opening rounds of the Six Nations, Ireland’s swift response has underlined their belief that this is a temporary setback rather than a defining moment in his international career.
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"Utterly woeful" - Five Ireland players who flopped against France
While France dazzled in attack, this was also an evening that brutally exposed individual Irish shortcomings — and several players endured nights to forget.
Here are five Ireland players who flopped against Les Bleus.
1 Dan Sheehan
Rock-solid at the set-piece, Sheehan delivered flawless lineout throws in difficult conditions but struggled to impose himself in open play. With Ireland badly needing go-forward and physical punch, his usually devastating carrying threat was effectively neutralised by a well-drilled French defence.
Ratings
- Rugby Pass: 5
- Planet Rugby: 5
- BALLS: 4
- FloRugby 5
Comments
FLORUGBY: "Finishing with five carries and four tackles underlined how little influence he was able to have. It was a night where circumstances limited his impact rather than a lack of effort."
BALLS: “Threw a perfect lineout despite greasy conditions in Paris. But was a bit of a non-factor in open play as Ireland cried out for some barnstorming Sheehan carries.”
Planet Rugby: “The basics were solid enough, with his lineout work absolute pinpoint, but he’s certainly not been at his best since suffering that ACL injury in July 2024.”
Rugby Pass: “Struggled to get into the game. Ireland’s lineout functioned reasonably well and Sheehan deserves credit for his role in that. Teams are seemingly getting a lot better at neutralising his running threat.”
2 Sam Prendergast
A night that exposed both Prendergast’s attacking promise and his defensive frailties. While he showed flashes of skill and improved after the break, France repeatedly targeted his reluctance to tackle, turning the Irish 10 channel into a glaring weakness.
Ratings
- Rugby Pass: 4.5
- Planet Rugby: 3
- FloRugby 4
- BALLS: 4
Comments
BALLS: “Like the rest of the team, struggled once France took over. Like his rivals for the 10 shirt, could be accused of overplaying at times, but did improve in the second half.”
FloRugby: "Defensively, he was heavily involved in the opening two French tries and missed seven tackles. While he did make 20 tackles overall, the damage had already been done."
Rugby Pass: “Had his moments in attack but steers Ireland like a drunken F1 driver – plenty of skill but liable to appalling lapses in judgement. Improved as Ireland enjoyed a short-lived second-half purple patch.”
Planet Rugby: “It gets to the point where you question if a 10 can continually get picked when they can’t tackle or, as it seems at times, simply won’t tackle. Prendergast started off well enough with a lovely cross-field kick but his defensive issues then cost Ireland. He refuses to put his body on the line which is unacceptable at any level but particularly in the Test arena. An utterly woeful display.”
3 Jacob Stockdale
Given a chance to reassert himself at Test level, Stockdale endured a frustrating return to the Six Nations spotlight. A missed tackle for France’s opener set the tone, and despite some aerial competitiveness, his defensive shortcomings again came to the fore.
Ratings
Rugby Pass: 4
Planet Rugby: 4
BALLS: 4
Planet Rugby: 4
BALLS: 4
Comments
BALLS: “A frustrating night having missed the tackle on Bielle-Biarrey for France's first try. Competed well aerially against Theo Attissogbe, but Ireland struggled on the transition phases all night.”
Planet Rugby: “Given an opportunity ahead of the out-of-form James Lowe but it was a day to forget on the left wing. Stockdale’s defence has been criticised in the past and his tackle attempt on Louis Bielle-Biarrey for the first try was abysmal. It didn’t get much better after that.”
Rugby Pass: “His first Six Nations game in four years, Stockdale failed to take a high ball with his first touch. Tried to be useful, but it’s not immediately clear what exactly Stockdale brings to the table at this level anymore.”
4 Joe McCarthy
McCarthy showed glimpses of his raw physicality but ultimately looked overwhelmed by France’s power and precision. Penalties, handling errors and a lack of impact in contact summed up a difficult evening that ended with an early second-half withdrawal.
Ratings
- Rugby Pass: 4.5
- Planet Rugby: 4
- BALLS: 4
- RUCK: 5
- FloRugby 4
Comments
FloRugby: "Replaced in the 49th minute, his evening ended without the influence Ireland desperately needed. It was a frustrating night for a player built for contests like this."
RUCK: “Returned with some set-piece success, but conceded a needless penalty at a dangerous area by flying into the side of a ruck, allowing Ramos to slot an easy three. A midfield pass later slipped through his legs, summing up a difficult first half.”
BALLS: “The only real physical presence in the Irish pack, and it showed. France double teamed McCarthy when he carried and although he defended well, it wasn't his night.”
Rugby Pass: “A deflated figure. Struggled to put a dent in the French pack in the opening forty, where it was largely one-way traffic. An awkward fumble or two, and had the general air of someone who didn’t look up to the task at hand.”
Planet Rugby: “Helped to stop the France maul from gaining too much traction, but there were a couple of needless penalties, including one absolute brain fade. Was taken off early in the second period.”
5 Garry Ringrose
Ringrose was largely anonymous as Ireland’s backline unravelled under pressure. Starved of attacking opportunities and unable to slow France’s momentum in defence, his usually reliable intensity and edge never truly surfaced on a sobering night in Paris.
Ratings
- BALLS: 4
- Planet Rugby: 5
- FloRugby 4
- Rugby Pass: 5
Comments
FloRugby: "Defensively, six tackles were offset by four misses, a costly return at this level. A disappointing night for a player of his calibre."
Rugby Pass: “Largely an onlooker in the first half, with Ireland’s backline at times resembling a panic-stricken engine room in a submarine that’s about to be torpedoed. Chased shadows all evening and looked off the pace.”
Planet Rugby: “Barely noticeable quite frankly, irrespective of his break late on. Didn’t have too many opportunities with ball in hand and could not halt the French juggernaut in defence.”
BALLS: “With a backline lacking cohesion, Ireland needed a trademark Ringrose performance. Unfortunately however his aggressive defensive style caused more damage than good, given how lethal Les Bleus were.”
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