City of Armagh RFC and the wider local rugby community are celebrating after Jude Postlethwaite received a call-up to the Ireland senior squad ahead of next week’s Six Nations opener with France.
The 21-year-old centre has joined the national panel currently at a warm-weather training camp in Portugal, replacing Bundee Aki.
Confirming the change, the IRFU said: “The IRFU can confirm that Bundee Aki has not travelled with the men’s senior squad to Portugal for disciplinary reasons. The IRFU does not tolerate any form of disrespect shown towards match officials and does not condone actions that fall below the standards expected of players representing Irish rugby.
“The IRFU are investigating the matter further internally and no additional comment will be made at this time. Aki has been replaced in the squad by Ulster’s uncapped centre Jude Postlethwaite.”
City of Armagh RFC congratulated their player following the announcement, saying: “Congratulations to City of Armagh’s Jude Postlethwaite on his call up to the Ireland squad for the 6 Nations match with France next week. Best wishes from everyone in Armagh, Jude!”
Ulster Rugby, where Jude also plies his trade, also welcomed the news, adding: “Huge congrats to Jude Postlethwaite on his call-up to the Irish Rugby squad this week, he has travelled to the training camp in Portugal.”
A former Royal Belfast Academical Institution pupil, Postlethwaite has been tipped for the top from an early age. He was the leading try-scorer in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup in 2020, earning a Player of the Year nomination, before joining the Ulster Rugby Academy in 2021.
He has already represented Ireland at Under-20 level – winning a Six Nations Grand Slam – as well as featuring for Emerging Ireland and Ireland Sevens.
At provincial level, he continues to grow in influence with Ulster and was named Player of the Match in last season’s home victory over Dragons.
Postlethwaite, who represents City of Armagh RFC in the All-Ireland League, will now hope to make the most of his first senior international call-up as Ireland prepare for one of their toughest Six Nations tests on February 5 in Paris.
