![\"Bundee](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_GettyImages-1657112665.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe latest rugby news from Wales and around the world one week out from the Six Nations<\/p>\n
Bundee Aki has been banned(Image: World Rugby)<\/p>\n
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Thursday, January 29.<\/p>\n
Bundee Aki gets big ban<\/p>\n
Ireland and Lions star Bundee Aki has been given a six-week ban, two of which are suspended, after the misconduct controversy that saw him ditched from the Six Nations squad. <\/a>Aki will miss four games in total, including Ireland’s first three matches of the tournament.<\/p>\n He will, however, be available for the fourth round clash against Wales in Dublin.<\/p>\n Aki was called to face an independent disciplinary committee following Connacht’s loss to Leinster on the weekend after he clashed with match officials during and after the game.. The hearing found him guilty of “verbal abuse and disrespect”.<\/p>\n The 35-year-old is now banned for Connacht’s URC game against Zebre this weekend and Ireland’s Six Nations<\/a> fixtures against France, Italy and England.<\/p>\n A URC statement read: “After considering all of the submissions, the Independent Committee deemed that the Player engaged with the match official team after the game on several occasions in a manner which breached the Disciplinary Rules.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Independent Committee concluded that the Player\u2019s behaviour constituted verbal abuse and disrespect of a Match Official(s) under the relevant Rules.<\/p>\n “The committee felt that while a six-week ban was appropriate, two weeks would be suspended. It also recognised the centre was full of regret for his actions and was grateful for the approach that he took towards the proceedings.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, given the Player\u2019s 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 continued.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Committee reminded the Player of the importance of the Spirit and values of the game of rugby and the importance of respect towards Match Officials. The Player was reminded of his right to appeal.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael Sheen urges WRU rethink as he backs Ospreys amid growing row<\/p>\n Hollywood actor Michael Sheen has spoken out in support of the Ospreys amid the escalating dispute over the region\u2019s future, urging the Welsh Rugby Union to rethink its position.<\/p>\n The Welsh star posted his backing on social media platform X, aligning himself with the Ospreys, a number of former players and Swansea<\/a> Council leader Rob Stewart as pressure continues to mount on the WRU over its handling of regional rugby.<\/p>\n “Want to give my support to @ospreys, these former players, the supporters and Swansea Council\u2019s Leader @Cllr_robstewart in a call for a rethink from WRU and Y11 on their approach to this,” he wrote in support of the former Ospreys players’ joint statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sheen\u2019s intervention comes at a critical moment in a saga that has seen fierce public disagreement between the WRU, local politicians, former players and the region itself.<\/p>\n Sheen\u2019s links to the Ospreys stretch back more than a decade. In 2011, he appeared in a club campaign in which he described himself as \u201cproud to be an Ospreylian\u201d and said he was proud to support the region.<\/p>\n His comments follow a growing backlash against the WRU\u2019s plans, with Ospreys legends including Alun Wyn Jones, Shane Williams, Ryan Jones and James Hook recently calling for a rethink and warning the proposals risk damaging the region\u2019s identity.<\/a><\/p>\n Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart has also been highly critical of the WRU, accusing it of \u201cputting the region\u2019s future at risk\u201d<\/p>\n Concerns have intensified following the WRU\u2019s decision to proceed with the sale of Cardiff<\/a> Rugby to Y11, while declining to provide assurances over the Ospreys\u2019 long-term future. Local MPs have described the situation as a \u201cstitch-up\u201d and warned the region could be pushed towards collapse.<\/p>\n O\u2019Brien sets Dragons challenge as captain reveals next big step<\/p>\n Angus O\u2019Brien has laid down a clear marker for the Dragons\u2019 season, insisting the \u201cnext step\u201d for the resurgent region is finally delivering an away win after nearly three years without one in the league.<\/p>\n The Dragons co-captain says the feel-good factor at Rodney Parade must now travel, with the Gwent side preparing for a Welsh derby showdown against the Ospreys<\/a> at Bridgend<\/a>\u2019s Brewery Field on Saturday. The Dragons have not won a URC match on the road since April 2022, a statistic that continues to loom large despite a clear upturn in performances.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had four great wins at Rodney,\u201d O\u2019Brien said. \u201cThe next step is for us to go and win away and we are working hard to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n The 31-year-old full-back has been central to the Dragons\u2019 improved form, with the region winning four of their last seven matches in all competitions and collecting losing bonus points in two others.<\/p>\n