Bundee Aki has been suspended for Ireland’s first three Six Nations matches after being handed a four-game ban for “verbal abuse and disrespect” towards match officials in Connacht’s United Rugby Championship (URC) loss to Leinster last weekend.

The 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee was handed a six-week ban – two of which are suspended – after an independent disciplinary committee hearing found that he “engaged with the match official team after the game on several occasions”.

Aki, 35, will miss Connacht’s URC game against Zebre this weekend and Ireland’s Six Nations fixtures against France, Italy and England.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) confirmed Aki had not travelled to Ireland’s pre-tournament training camp in Portugal and said it would investigate the matter internally, with Ulster’s Jude Postlethwaite called up to the squad.

Confirming the sanction, the URC said it recognised Aki’s “full regret for his actions and was grateful for the approach he took towards the proceedings”.

“However, given the player’s previous disciplinary record (including incidents of a similar nature) and his lack of a plea in this case, the Independent Committee could not apply mitigation to the sanction,” the statement added.

Ireland face France in Paris on 5 February before hosting Italy in Dublin on 14 February. They take on England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on 21 February before home games against Wales and Scotland on 6 and 14 March.

Two-time British and Irish Lions tourist Aki has won 68 caps for Ireland and has won three Six Nations titles, including Grand Slams in 2018 and 2023.

Aki’s suspension is the latest blow for Ireland head coach Andy Farrell in the build-up to the Six Nations.

On Wednesday, the IRFU confirmed full-back Hugo Keenan returned home from Portugal with a fractured thumb.

Earlier this week, prop Jack Boyle and versatile forward Tom Ahern pulled out of the squad with Billy Bohan and Cormac Izuchukwu called up.