Uini Atonio was admitted to hospital on Tuesday and remains in intensive care – just over a week before France’s Six Nations opener
Uini Atonio’s career is over(Image: Getty Images)
The rugby world has been rocked by the news France prop Uini Atonio has suffered a heart attack, is in intensive career and his rugby career is over with immediate effect.
The 35-year-old was a part of Fabien Galthie’s 42-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations, with France’s campaign beginning in just over a week with a Thursday night clash with Ireland. However, he will now play no part in the tournament after his club side, La Rochelle, announced he had been admitted to hospital on Tuesday.
The club say medical examinations confirmed a “heart attack”. While his condition is now stable, he remains in intensive care under observation and will have to undergo a “long period of convalescence”.
However, Atonio has already been told that he will not be able to play rugby again.
“Uini Atonio was admitted yesterday to the La Rochelle Hospital Center following a suspected heart problem,” read the statement from La Rochelle. ” Medical examinations confirmed a cardiac event. His condition is now stable, and he remains in intensive care under observation.
“Following his hospitalization, Uini will have to undergo a long period of convalescence. It is now established that he will not be able to continue his playing career.
“Uini holds a special place in the history and in the heart of our Club. This news deeply saddens us.
“The entire Club wishes to express its unwavering and total support to him and his family during this difficult time.”
The New Zealand-born tighthead joined La Rochelle in 2011, having previously played for Counties Manukau.
Despite playing for Samoa U20s, Atonio qualified for France through residency and won his first cap against Fiji in 2014.
Atonio had pulled out of La Rochelle’s clash with Clermont on the weekend, with reports suggesting it was a suspected chest muscle problem.
On Tuesday, France called up his club team-mate Georges-Henri Colombe as cover for Atonio.