Bundee Aki has been speaking to the media today, as it has been announced he will be part of the Barbarians squad to face England and Ulster at the end of next month, to be coached by Vern Cotter. An appearance against England for Aki will whet the appetite for many Irish rugby fans expecting the Connacht centre to line out for Ireland next year.
This October will mark Aki's third year in Ireland, and under the terms of rugby's residency rule, he will be eligible to be selected for Ireland's November internationals.
While it was widely expected that Aki would play for Ireland having committed to a contract extension at Connacht ahead of this season, he gave a very non-committal response to Sinead Kissane of TV3 when asked about the prospect of lining out for Ireland.
He confirmed that he wished to play international rugby, although refused to clarify whether that would be for Ireland, as he also qualifies for Samoa and New Zealand.
Watch it below.
Bundee Aki on possibility of playing for Ireland. More on 3 News at 5.30 pic.twitter.com/1YjmJLmvG9
— Sinéad Kissane (@sineadkissane) April 12, 2017
