Ronan O'Gara fights back tears at La Rochelle press conference

Ronan O’Gara fought back emotion as he addressed the media on Friday, two days after La Rochelle prop Uini Atonio suffered a cardiac event that has brought his playing career to an abrupt end.

On Monday, it was announced that Atonio had been released from Fabien Galthie’s France Six Nations squad, along with his La Rochelle team-mate, Paul Boudehent.

However, on Wednesday it was revealed that the giant 6’5, 150kg tighthead suffered a cardiac event and was being treated for the life-threatening condition in hospital.

O’Gara was clearly shaken when facing the press today (Friday) ahead of the La Rochelle’s home game with Lyon on Saturday. The head coach was visibly shaken during the press conference, speaking quietly about the impact of the news on the squad and wider club and at one point, welled up with emotion.

The Corkman stressed how deeply Atonio is cherished within the organisation. Indeed, O’Gara described the 35-year-old as a figure who is adored at Stade Marcel-Deflandre.

A video released by Rugbyrama captured the moment:

Ronan O’Gara est arrivé très ému en conférence de presse ce vendredi, quatre jours seulement après l’accident cardiaque dont Uini Atonio a été victime. Le manager rochelais dresse le portrait d’un homme “exceptionnel”. pic.twitter.com/64vAZ2iyRc

— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) January 30, 2026

Writing in his column for The Examiner this week, O’Gara wrote: “Standing there, watching this mountain of a man, an indestructible soul, wired up in a hospital bed was something that will live with me.”

The club statement said Atonio face a long battle to regain his health and that his professional rugby career was over.

“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,” the statement read.

“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.”

Atonio has been a central figure in the club’s most successful era, playing a key role in back-to-back Champions Cup titles and earning more than 60 Test caps for France.