Six Nations star rushed to intensive care and forced to retire | Rugby | Sport

The rugby world has been stunned by news that France prop Uini Atonio has suffered a heart attack, is in intensive care and his rugby career has ended with immediate effect.

The 35-year-old was part of Fabien Galthie’s 42-man squad for the forthcoming Six Nations, with France’s campaign starting in just over a week with a Thursday night encounter against Ireland. Nevertheless, he will now take no part in the tournament after his club side, La Rochelle, revealed he had been taken to hospital on Tuesday.

The club confirmed medical examinations showed a “heart attack”. Whilst his condition is now stable, he remains in intensive care under observation and will need to undergo a “long period of convalescence”. However, Atonio has already been informed 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 turned out for Counties Manukau. Despite representing Samoa U20s, Atonio became eligible for France through residency and earned his debut cap against Fiji in 2014.

Atonio had withdrawn from La Rochelle’s fixture against Clermont at the weekend, with reports indicating a suspected chest muscle injury. On Tuesday, France summoned his club colleague Georges-Henri Colombe as replacement cover for Atonio.