Bundee Aki

Few midfielders carry the ball with the ferocity of Bundee Aki, the Ireland inside centre whose physical presence has become a defining feature of his side's midfield. Born on 7 April 1990, Aki is renowned for aggressive ball-carrying, hard-hitting defence and an offloading game that keeps attacks alive in contact. Since making his Ireland debut in 2017, he has been a near-permanent fixture in the green number twelve jersey, providing the gain-line dominance and defensive leadership around which his team's structure is built. Aki's career has been marked by major honours, including Six Nations success and recognition as one of the standout centres in the world game — he was shortlisted for World Rugby Player of the Year in 2023 after a series of commanding performances. On the field, he functions as a battering ram in attack, getting his side over the gain line and creating front-foot ball for those outside him, while his offloads and footwork add subtlety to an otherwise direct approach. Defensively, he is a heavy hitter who sets the tone for those around him. Combative, durable and fiercely committed, Aki remains one of the most influential and respected midfielders of his generation.