France prop Uini Atonio has been forced to retire from rugby after being admitted to intensive care following a cardiac event. The 35-year-old was taken to hospital in La Rochelle on Tuesday with a suspected heart problem and is now in a stable condition. His club, La Rochelle, said Atonio will need a long period of recovery, meaning he cannot continue his playing career.
Born in New Zealand, Atonio qualified to play for France through residency and earned 68 caps, winning the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022 and featuring in the 2015 and 2023 World Cups. He was a key figure for La Rochelle, helping them gain promotion to the Top 14 and win back-to-back Champions Cup titles in 2022 and 2023. Atonio had played six times this season before being withdrawn from France’s squad earlier this week, with French rugby officials praising his stature, humility and impact on the game.
