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Shock news as Uini Atonio suffers career-ending heart attack
By Jon Newcombe
France prop Uini Atonio is reported to be in a stable condition in intensive care after suffering a career-ending heart attack.
The colossus of French rugby entered hospital in La Rochelle with a suspected cardiac issue and a medical examiniation confirmed that he’d had a heart attack.
On Monday, it was announced that Atonio had been released from France’s Six Nations squad, along with his La Rochelle team-mate, Paul Boudehent, who’s injured.
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Atonio, 35, was one of the most fearsomne scrummagers and ball carriers of his generation, winning 68 caps for Les Bleus over an 11-year career.
The Grand Slam winner was a key pillar in a golden period of success for La Rochelle, starring in the club’s back-to-back Investec Champions Cup campaigns in 2022 and 2023.
“Uini Atonio was admitted yesterday to the La Rochelle Hospital Center following a suspected heart problem,” the Top 14 side said in a statement. “Medical examinations confirmed a cardiac event.
“His condition is now stable, and he remains in intensive care under observation. Following his hospitalisation, Uini will have to undergo a long period of recovery. 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.”
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