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Ireland's 2025 actually started pretty well in the Six Nations as they defeated England, Scotland and Wales to win the Triple Crown, under the lead of Simon Easterby as Andy Farrell prepared for the British and Irish Lions.

However, it's fair to say things were mixed after that. France ended any hopes of a Grand Slam with a dominant win in Dublin, and their Six Nations came to a close with a narrow win in Italy.

Without a large number of their squad, who were with Farrell and the Lions, Ireland's fringe players signed off Easterby's reign with big wins over Georgia and Portugal.

With Farrell back in the autumn, Ireland lost to the All Blacks in Chicago but recorded wins over Japan and Australia.

Their year ended with a chaotic defeat by South Africa in Dublin, and they will look to bounce back this year.

The roll of honour. Two teams have dominated in recent years.

Will it be the same this year?

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Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

Reacting to Aki's suspension, former Ireland captain Rory Best said: "You can't do that [disrespect a referee]. I'm a big fan of Bundee as a player and a person but when you're talking about refereeing, they're definitely a lot more under the spotlight because it's not just how they control the game now, it's how fast the game flows.

"If the game doesn't last 90-minutes-ish, it's the referee's fault, if they go to the TMO too often, it's their fault. Things are happening in a split-second so there's a lot of spotlight on them."

Best, who captained Ireland to the 2018 Grand Slam, added he has a "lot of sympathy" for referees.

"Part of the values of the game and what makes rugby stand out above all other sports is that respect to the referee so if we're going to let that go, that's one part of our game, our history and future, that's broken away and then we can't stand on the soapbox that we love to stand on and go 'well, that wouldn't happen in a rugby match'.

"If we're going to let it happen, it will. I get as frustrated as anyone with refereeing decisions but they're humans trying to make the best decisions they can and there's so much spotlight, it's a really tricky position.

"The bottom line is from the values of the game, we need to protect them but without them you can't have the game either."

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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.

BBC Sounds

If you love a podcast and want your rugby fix, then catch the Ireland Rugby Social on BBC Sounds with former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray and Gavin Andrews.

There's already been some great episodes with Jacob Stockdale, Bundee Aki (more on him later), Willie John McBride and a live episode with Ireland legends Rory Best and Andrew Trimble.

There will also be two episodes a week throughout the Six Nations.

Check it out on BBC Sounds!

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Five games. Only one winner.

How will Ireland get on in this year's tournament? Let us know using 'Get Involved'.

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Morning, all!

It's that time of year again when the Six Nations rolls into town and the first Ireland team is about 30 minutes away from being announced.

It's a tricky opener for Andy Farrell's side against holders France and we'll be hearing from Ireland's head coach in Paris at 09:00 GMT, and you can watch it live right here.

We'll have the breaking team news from 08:00 GMT and then Farrell's press conference at 09:00 GMT, so you'll be able to stay right up to date.

Six Nations holders France name their team at 10:00 GMT, so we'll also bring you that as it breaks - with a return for Antoine Dupont expected.

So, go and grab a coffee and make yourself comfortable.

Thanks for joining us!