Not quite

Bundee Aki has been one of the standout players at the Rugby World Cup so far, bagging four tries in the opening two games as he gets set to make his 50th appearance for Ireland this week.

Aki has become one of the first names on the Irish team sheet in recent months after an excellent run of form, with fellow British and Irish Lion, Robbie Henshaw, having to make do with a spot on the bench.

The Connacht centre will instead partner Garry Ringrose in midfield this week, and the Leinster thirteen has had nothing but praise for Aki as gets set for the 50th cap.

Speaking following today’s team announcement for Saturday’s game with the Springboks, Ringrose said he and the other Irish consider themselves “lucky” to get to play alongside Aki, who was left in an ’emotional state’ shall we say, after the ‘lovely’ words from his teammate.

“I consider myself lucky to get to play alongside Bundee,” Ringrose said.

“I think everyone in the group is really happy to see him get to 50 for him and his family.

“When he first came to Connacht he kind of captured everyone’s hearts in Connacht and then he’s done that from the moment he’s put on that Irish jersey.

“It couldn’t be more deserved.

“As I said, I consider myself to lucky to play alongside him and I know speaking for the other centres, in Robbie [Henshaw] and Stu [McCloskey] that are here, and some that are back home, would say the exact same thing.”

The best ever is when Ringrose chimes in at the very end with a “Jesus, if that was my answer, you should have heard what Robbie would have said!”

Great stuff from the pair who will be up against it this weekend with the Springboks.