La Rochelle boss Ronan O\u2019Gara has paid tribute to the \u201cexceptional\u201d Uini Atonio, who has sadly been hospitalised this week after suffering from a heart attack.<\/p>\n
The giant prop is currently in intensive care after sustaining a cardiac event. His condition is stable, but he remains in hospital while he recovers.<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old was named in Les Bleus\u2019 wider Six Nations squad last week but was later withdrawn, signalling an end to his rugby career.<\/p>\n
The squad \u201coverwhelmed\u201d while O\u2019Gara \u201ca bit out of it\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking to the press on Friday, O\u2019Gara stressed the severity of the situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were all a bit overwhelmed by emotion and the way things unfolded; it was awful,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince then, I\u2019ve been a bit out of it. I haven\u2019t been very much in control this week because it\u2019s hard to see Uini [Atonio] in a small bed with wires everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ireland legend: Antoine Dupont is the \u2018greatest rugby player\u2019 who has \u2018ever played the game\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n At times struggling for words under the weight of the very obvious and understandable emotion, the 48-year-old spoke emotionally about the influence the big man has had on those around him.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, it\u2019s a huge privilege because I know him very well. I know all the things he does behind the scenes. That\u2019s why I love this sport. To meet someone like him. There aren\u2019t many like him in the world. That\u2019s for sure,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat he does with all the young people, what he does to integrate foreigners with the French<\/a>, what he does when we\u2019re going through a difficult time, what he does when we think we\u2019re too strong.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s an exceptional person, and I have to thank him for the emotions he\u2019s given me since I\u2019ve been here.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m speechless because he\u2019s truly exceptional.\u201d<\/p>\n With France set to open the Six Nations<\/a> on Thursday with a home match against Ireland, there\u2019s no doubt the entire rugby community will have the world-class star on their minds.<\/p>\n Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n