Aki out of run-in for Connacht

CONNACHT’S hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions Cup have suffered a huge blow with centre Bundee Aki banned for three games. The Pro12 player of the year last season was hit with the suspension for his behaviour towards referee Ian Davies during the 37-24 loss to Leinster, and for comments he made to the match official after the match at the Sportsground. Aki, who is Irish qualified late this year, will miss tomorrow’s home clash against Scarlets and the away trip to Munster next weekend but, more crucially, is now out of the Champions Cup play-off semi-final next month. Connacht, more than likely, will face English rather than French opposition in that clash away from home and their hopes of reaching the play-off final will be reduced with the loss of their talisman. It’s the latest blow in what has been a bitterly disappointing season for the Pro12 champions who have not even been in the top half of the table this season. A big clear-out is taking place on and off the field at the Sportsground with Connacht yesterday confirming the departure of eleven players. The most notable is long-serving prop Ronan Loughney (inset), a member of the first ever academy at the Sportsground, who brings a 12-season career with his native province to an end. The 32-year old has played 191 times for Connacht but it remains to be seen if he continues his career elsewhere. Others to depart include John Cooney (Ulster), Danny Qualter (Nottingham), Rory Parata, Danie Poolman, Nepia Fox-matamua, Shane O’leary, Lewis Stevenson, Rory Moloney, Josh Rowland and Ivan Soroka.

BANNED Aki in game against Leinster