Bundee Aki looking to make amends after recall for Fiji visit

If you're in the vicinity of Dublin 4 just after 3.10pm on Saturday afternoon and you feel the earth shake beneath your feet, don't be alarmed, it’s more than likely the first collision involving Bundee Aki and Josua Tuisova.

The two starting inside centres are arguably the most powerful midfield gainline winners in rugby, and their individual battle is worth the price of admission alone.

There’s likely to be a real edge to Aki’s game on Saturday, even more so than usual. The 34-year-old had a sloppy performance in Ireland’s opening Autumn Nations Series defeat to New Zealand earlier in the month, and as a result was left out of last week’s win against Argentina.

"I think it's tough for anyone. It's always a challenge but you put that aside and you put the team first," Aki says, ahead of tomorrow’s game against Fiji, where he has been restored to the starting side.

"I had a different role last week, which was to prepare the boys for the game last week and I enjoyed that role. It was good to see them thrive, the way they played last week.

"Yeah, it's always the next job focused and you're turning the page straightaway once you know what the job is and what your focus is for the week."

Saturday’s game will be Aki’s 59th cap, and competition for places in midfield has been steep ever since the Connacht man made his debut against the Springboks in 2017, with Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey and now Jamie Osborne fighting for a place in Andy Farrell’s centre depth chart.

"It's a healthy, honest relationship with Faz," added Aki (above).

"You take it on the chin and you've just got to be better and take the opportunity of the week to nullify your mistakes and to be a better person and to be a better rugby player.

"The