Bundee Aki has been dropped from the Ireland Six Nations squad for "disciplinary reasons".
In a statement issued by the IRFU just eight days out from the opening fixture of their Six Nations campaign, it was confirmed that the Connacht centre would not travel to Portugal with the men's senior squad.
The statement read: "The IRFU can confirm that Bundee Aki has not travelled with the Men’s senior squad to Portugal for disciplinary reasons.
"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."
The 35-year-old was involved in a number of altercations with match officials during the Connacht-Leinster game at Dexcom Stadium last Saturday. Aki was penalised for dissent late in the game by referee Eoghan Cross after being warned about his back-chat earlier in the second-half.
Aki has been replaced by uncapped Ulster centre Jude Postlethwaite.
