France prop Uini Atonio has been forced to retire after he was admitted to an intensive care unit following a “cardiac event”.
The 35-year-old was taken to a hospital in La Rochelle on Tuesday with his club saying he suffered a suspected heart problem, and is now in a stable condition.
“Following his hospitalisation, Uini will have to undergo a long period of recovery,” said French Top 14 side La Rochelle, his team since 2011.
Atonio, who was born in New Zealand, qualified to play for France through residency and made 68 appearances for his adoptive country.
During his career the giant prop won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2022 and was selected for their World Cup squads in 2015 and 2023.
He started all five games as France regained the Six Nations in 2025, and was selected in their provisional squad for this year’s tournament.
However, he was withdrawn from the squad earlier this week. It is unclear whether that was for sporting or medical reasons.
Having been spotted at a rugby 10s tournament in Hong Kong, Atonio signed for La Rochelle for the 2011-12 season and remained with the club for his entire career.
He helped his side win promotion to the Top 14 in 2014, and was part of a squad that reached three successive Champions Cup finals between 2021 and 2023, winning the title in the latter two years.
Atonio played six times this season, with his first appearance coming in early December and the last against Harlequins in the Champions Cup on 18 January.
“In Blue, just as in the La Rochelle jersey, Uini Atonio has been – and will remain – a great prop in the broadest sense of the term, in his stature, his humility and his sunny disposition,” the French clubs’ body the LNR said.