Emotional Bundee Aki sums up what representing Ireland means to ...

BUNDEE AKI has become a beloved figure in Irish rugby since first touching down on these shores in 2014.

The New Zealand native has racked up 53 Ireland caps since making his bow three years later via the residency rule.

He's helped Connacht to new heights too, most notably their Pro12 title-winning season of 2016Credit: ITV Sport The bruising centre was Ireland's standout performer during the World Cup campaign

Rugby's allowance for players with no familial ties to represent their adopted homeland at international level has been and remains a bone of contention for many.

But when you see the extent to which the likes of the Connacht centre, James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park put their bodies on the line for the cause you certainly could never question their commitment.

And further proof of how much Ireland has come to mean to the 33-year-old came in the days leading up to their Welsh tussle.

While speaking to ITV, he was asked to sum up his relationship with Ireland in one word.

After a pause, the World Player of the Year nominee reflected: "I would say 'love'. I love playing for Ireland, I love the people in Ireland.

"They've given nothing but love. I can only show it back with the way I play and the way I represent the country."

Interviewer: "It means a lot?"

Aki: "It does mean a lot...it means a lot."

Andy Farrell's men are 22 point favourites to maintain their quest for a successive Six Nations Grand Slam.

Having started the tournament off with a similarly one-sided romp past nearest rivals France in Marseille, it looks like the only team in the northern hemisphere that can beat them is themselves.

While they are clearly at their peak as a team, The Dragons are in the early stages of a complete overhaul.

Although Ireland are having to learn to play without Johnny Sexton, Wales' situation is even more drastic as they have lost Dan Biggar, Justin Tipuric, Dan Lydiate, Alan Wyn-Jones and Louis Rees-Zammit.

That mass exodus has mostly come via retirements and unrest over the financial strife that Welsh club rugby is currently mired in.

But in the case of 23-year-old British and Irish Lion Zammit he has packed in rugby in order to chase his dream of making it as an NFL player stateside.