RONAN O’Gara’s La Rochelle has confirmed that French prop Uini Atonio has suffered a heart attack and is recovering Wednesday in a local hospital.
La Rochelle stated that the 35-year-old’s conditition is stable and he remains, under supervision, in intensive care.
The episode brings down the curtain on his rugby career. “Medical examinations confirmed a heart attack.
It is now established that he will not be able to continue his playing career,” the statement said.
Atonio was only withdrawn from Fabien Galthie’s squad to play Ireland in the Six Nations on Monday.
“Uini Atonio was admitted yesterday to the La Rochelle Hospital Center following a suspected heart problem,” the Top 14 side said. “Medical examinations confirmed a cardiac event. Uini holds a special place in the history and in the heart of our club. This news deeply saddens us. The entire Stade Rochelais club wishes to express its unwavering and total support to him and his family during this difficult time.”
“Following his hospitalisation, Uini will have to undergo a long period of recovery. It is now established that he will not be able to continue his playing career.”
Atonio has won 68 caps as a pillar of solidity for France since his debut in 2014. Born in New Zealand to Samoan parents, Atonio joined La Rochelle, then in the second-tier ProD2, in 2011 after being spotted at a tournament in Hong Kong.
He has since been a vital figure in the club’s rise into back-to-back Champions Cup winners under O’Gara, and has his own brand of beer brewed in the city.
The prop was part of the France team that won a Six Nations grand slam in 2022.
